Jill Kemerer

Jill Kemerer – Welcome to Tumbleweed, TX – plus a Giveaway!

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Howdy, fillies! It’s wonderful to be back at the junction!

Welcome to Tumbleweed, Texas, where love is in bloom and broken hearts heal in the most surprising circumstances. Embrace the small-town community, juicy storylines, and faith-filled romance in this four-book continuity published by Love Inspired.

Today I’m sharing about my new book, The Rancher’s Unlikely Match, which releases on Tuesday, April 28th, and giving you the inside scoop about the fictional town of Tumbleweed, Texas. The first three books in the continuity released in January, February, and March, and were written by different authors.

Book 1: The Coach’s Secret Child by Lee Tobin McClain

Book 2: The Pastor’s Easter Prayer by Tina Radcliffe

Book 3: The Police Chief’s Instant Family by Mindy Obenhaus

Book 4: The Rancher’s Unlikely Match by Jill Kemerer

When the four of us authors were approached to write the continuity, we immediately shared files to help us keep the town and characters consistent. Tina drew up a fictional map of the town, and that helped tremendously. The rest of us added stores and businesses as we were writing our books.

Tumbleweed is a small fictional town located in eastern Texas, and it’s full of charm and fascinating people. You can get your hair done at Beauty Lounge, worship during Sunday services at Tumbleweed Community Church, grab a delicious meal at the Friendly Fork, or snack on a Texas-sized cinnamon roll from Sweet Dreams Bakery. Personally, I want to do it all!

The town square has a gazebo, and you might spot the manager of the Grocery Spot racing across the park to catch his runaway wiener dog. You’ll definitely want to set up your chairs early to watch the Tumbleweed Days parade. The entire town shows up for the annual event. Former mayor, Jim Stewart, is in charge of the planning committee, and rumor has it that he and local ranching matriarch, Patty Wright, have been getting cozy. Hmm…I wonder what’s going on with them?

Back to Tumbleweed. Here’s what each author had to say when asked about the town.

If you could visit Tumbleweed, Texas, where would you go first? And who would you most like to meet?

Lee Tobin McClain:

As a teacher from a family of teachers, I’d head to the high school to watch my heroine, Kayla, mentor Coach Mike in the art of teaching. Then I’d head to the Friendly Fork diner for a bite to eat. Finally, I’d get my hair done at the Beauty Lounge, so I could catch up on all the gossip from Ginger Jackson, the owner.

Tina Radcliffe:

I fell in love with Sweet Dream Bakery. If I visited Tumbleweed, I’d stop in and say hi to baker Luna Perez and order both a cinnamon roll and a chocolate croissant. If it were a Wednesday, I’d order a cupcake slathered with fudge buttercream frosting. Yum!

Mindy Obenhaus:

Sweet Dreams Bakery would definitely be my first stop. I have a voracious sweet tooth. And I wouldn’t mind chatting with Patricia Wright. It takes a mighty strong woman to handle the largest ranch in the county AND Jim Stewart.

Me!

I’d head straight to Sweet Dreams Bakery for one of those Texas-sized cinnamon rolls and a latte. Then I’d find Jessica and find out how she’s doing with those goats!

As you can see, we all clearly are craving yummy treats from the bakery. In fact, I could go for a cinnamon roll now…

My book begins at Big W Ranch. Patty Wright’s son, Ben, took the large cattle operation over after Patty’s husband died years ago. Three of the new neighbor’s goats have invaded Patty’s garden, much to Ben’s three kids’ delight. They love goats. Ben’s not happy about it, but the single dad is always grumpy. Enter the new neighbor, Miss Sunshine herself, Jessica Howard, and sparks begin to fly. I’ve always loved a good grumpy-sunshine trope. You’ll have to read the book to find out what happens!

I had such fun writing The Rancher’s Unlikely Match, and I have a happy announcement. There will be a second four-book continuity set in Tumbleweed, Texas, that will be released in early 2027! Yeehaw!

Giveaway Time

I’m giving away one copy of The Rancher’s Unlikely Match to a commenter. US winner will receive a signed paperback. International winner will receive an e-book! Simply leave a comment below to be entered.

Does your town have any special festivals the entire town attends? I’d love to hear about them!

Could her fresh start…be the answer to his prayers?

Widowed rancher Ben Wright doesn’t need more complications, especially not runaway goats from the pretty new farmer next door, Jessica Howard. With three kids, a farm and a baseball team to coach, he’s earned his gruff reputation. Jessica left a draining social work career in Houston, hoping for a fresh start and to save her inherited farm from debt—the last thing she needs is a grumpy neighbor. But despite their rocky start, Jessica begins to see past his tough exterior as she spends time with his kids. When old hurts arise, Ben and Jessica must decide…is a future together worth fighting for?

Purchase THE RANCHER’S UNLIKELY MATCH here!

Jill Kemerer

 

About Jill Kemerer

Jill Kemerer is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author of heartwarming, emotional, small-town romance novels often featuring cowboys. Nearly a million of her books have sold worldwide. Jill’s essentials include coffee, caramels, a stack of books, and long walks outdoors. She resides in Ohio with her husband. They have two adult children. For more information, visit her website, jillkemerer.com.

 

Riding Off Into the Sunset

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Wood wall background with cowboy boots, hat, and rope. Riding off into the Sunset. My heart is filled with gratitude. Jill Kemerer

No one wants to write a farewell post, but sometimes we must. This will be my final blog post as a filly. I’ve enjoyed my time at the junction meeting all you fabulous readers! Unfortunately, life pulls you in every direction during some seasons, and that’s a season I’m in. Having multiple book contracts is a blessing, but it’s difficult to juggle with everything else.

Tomorrow I have a new release. It isn’t a typical release. No cowboys, no Wyoming, no secret babies. Instead, this is a nonfiction book. I’ve been working on it for four years–fitting it around my contracted books–and I’m finally getting it out into the world.

 

Sage green wall with a red desk, laptop, reading lamp, and sage green chair. Creating a Writing Life by Jill Kemerer, Publishers Weekly bestselling author

Encouragement and advice for authors and writers

Bestseller lists, fame, and financial rewards don’t comprise your writing life—they’re products of it. This book will help you figure out the day-to-day decisions to make to achieve your writing dreams. Where and when do you write best? What equipment do you need? How will you handle envy? Rejection? Long droughts between contracts?

Creating a Writing Life gives you the tools to manage every aspect of your career, including income expectations and how to handle success. Author Jill Kemerer has experienced all this and more in her writing career, and this book will launch you into yours. What are you waiting for? Let’s get started creating your writing life!

Publishers Weekly bestselling author of nearly one million books worldwide, Jill Kemerer shares writing tips, business advice, and encouragement for authors in this inspirational book for writers.

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If you’ve ever considered becoming a writer or you’re already an author, this is the book for you.

I encourage writers to evaluate all aspects of their writing life–where and when they write best, existing equipment and what’s needed, if they’re a panster or plotter. I share about the emotional ups and downs–envy, discouragement, celebrating wins, and how to manage expectations. There’s an entire chapter devoted to financial matters, including author income, tracking expenses, and business options like sole proprietorships, LLCs and S corps. Since most writers struggle with time management (don’t we all?), I devoted several chapters on this subject. There’s also tips on creative habits, basic story elements, and the agent-author relationship.

I hope anyone who reads this book ends up encouraged and excited about their writing life. There are so many subjects writers and authors just don’t talk about, and this book does. I go there. Ideally, you’ll feel like you’re sitting across from me at a coffee shop, having a conversation about the writing life.

Purchase Creating a Writing Life 

Thank you to Petticoats & Pistols for allowing me to be part of the gang! And thank YOU for hanging out with me here for the past two years! As I’m riding off into the sunset, I’m keeping my good memories in my pocket.

Until we meet again…

Spring Birds and Flowers

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Peach background. Photo of two house sparrows on a branch. Text, "Spring Birds & Flowers. Petticoats & Pistols Blog"

We made it through winter! You might live in a warm weather climate, but here in northwest Ohio, winter can linger for far too long. In April, it snowed. It rained. One day it was in the eighties. We had severe storms. And we had sunshine. Go figure. Thankfully, it’s time for spring birds and flowers.

My husband and I spent a weekend working in the yard. He thatched the lawn, and our son and I raked the grass. I learned I had muscles I wasn’t aware of. I was pretty sore for a few days! But we also bought flowers to plant in pots on our deck and porch.

I love flowers.

I took this picture right after planting them. By the end of the month, the planter will be full of pretty petunias. 🙂

 

Deck and pot with white, purple and pink flowers

Another thing I love about spring? All the birds and bunnies and squirrels scurry around our feeders and birdbath. I watch them every morning while I sip coffee. It’s a blessing. The squirrels are silly. We have two regulars. One of them gnawed through the side hole of a birdhouse-turned-feeder, and he squeezed his way inside. His fluffy tail was sticking out of the feed tray. I laughed! I tried to take a picture of it. You can see his tail sticking out in the picture below.

Squirrel in birdfeeder

 

We have beautiful parks in our area, so I stopped at one along the Maumee River. I saw this chubby guy at their feeders. I don’t usually see raccoons out during the day! I figured it might be a pregnant raccoon, filling up before she has her babies. Who knows? She was cute, though.

 

Racoon at birdfeeder

The only birds I don’t like to see in my backyard are the predators–hawks, especially. They eat the sparrows and mourning doves. I don’t like it. I’m feeding the birds so they can live, not so they can be snacks! I know the hawks have to eat, too, but do they have to pick off the sweet little birds and bunnies in my yard? Ugh.

The hawk below is on the smaller side, and I saw him at the same park as the raccoon.

 

Hawk in tree

Oh well. Such is life.

We have two robin nests in our yard–one in the front and one in the back–but I don’t believe we have a cardinal nest this year. There must be one nearby, though, because we have a mama and daddy cardinal flying around, stopping at the feeders, every day. I love them. They’re such bright birds. Oh, and we have goldfinches. If you’d like to try to identify birds, check out AllAboutBirds.org.

What kind spring birds and flowers do you have? Do you have favorites?

Enjoy your day!

We’d love for you to stay up on our latest releases and have some fun, too, so join our Facebook Reader Group HERE!

Jill Kemerer has a Winner

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White background with illustrated flowers. The Cowboy's Easter Surprise by Jill Kemerer cover. Text, "Giveaway Winner! Petticoats & Pistols blog"

Thank you to everyone who entered Tuesday’s giveaway!

The winning commenter of The Cowboy’s Easter Surprise is Trudy C!

Congratulations! Trudy, look for Jill’s email and check for SPAM if you don’t see it!

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Dear readers, have you joined the FB Petticoats and Pistols Reader Group? Here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2143576775865837

The Cowboy’s Easter Surprise + Giveaway

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Illustrated flowers on white background. Cover of The Cowboy's Easter Surprise by Jill Kemerer. Text, "New Release + Giveaway. Petticoats & Pistols Blog"

I have a new book in stores! Yeehaw!

The Cowboy’s Easter Surprise is the fifth book in my Wyoming Legacies series. Trent Lloyd is navigating his new life as temporary guardian for his three adorable nieces while managing Cade Moulten’s new horse boarding center. Trent quickly realizes he needs help with the girls. He just wishes the helper was anyone but Gracie French.

Gracie is a former wild-child determined to make better choices about men and life in general. Her heart goes out to Trent’s nieces, and she’s drawn to him. But he sees her as she used to be, not as she is now, and that’s a deal breaker for her.

If you’re a fan of opposites attract, enemies-to-lovers, cowboys, horses, and fun little girls, this book is for you!

 

Cover for The Cowboy's Easter Surprise by Jill Kemerer. Prairie background with little blond girl in a cowboy hat and sundress. She's holding a white bunny.

Can three little hearts bring two opposites together?

As temporary guardian of his three nieces, stable manager Trent Lloyd is in desperate need of a babysitter. His only option: former classmate Gracie French, who’s back in town and determined to prove she’s a responsible, independent adult. The girls instantly adore Gracie, and after a fun-packed Easter weekend, Trent fears he’s not the only one captivated by Gracie’s charm. But he can’t forget the wild child he knew in high school. If he can trust Gracie with his nieces, can he also learn to trust her with his heart?

Read an excerpt:

Trent Lloyd sensed mutiny in the air.

If he didn’t ask any questions, there was a slim chance he’d avoid whatever headache his three nieces were preparing to hit him with from the back seat of his truck. One by one, the trio buckled their seat belts. Click, click, click. The snowy weather couldn’t be more miserable for a Monday in the third week of March. That was Jewel River, Wyoming, for you, though—harsh winters were the norm. Trent checked the rearview mirror as he backed out of the babysitter’s driveway.

Three blondes with different shades of blue eyes met his gaze in the mirror. None of them looked happy.

Nine-year-old Emma sat directly behind him, four-year-old Noelle was kicking her legs from the booster seat in the middle and seven-year-old Sadie sat in a matching booster seat on the other side of Noelle.

“We aren’t going back there. The three of us decided.” Emma tended to assume responsibility for her younger sisters. Sadie was more reserved, but her brain never stopped processing information. And little Noelle had Trent wrapped around her pinkie finger and tied into a tight bow. All three of them did, really.

The girls had been living with him for over a week, and his carefully ordered life had been turned inside out and upside down, leaving him thoroughly shaken.

He flicked on the windshield wipers and checked for oncoming traffic before pulling onto the road. Should he ask Emma why? He wasn’t thrilled with Mrs. Pine, either, but at this point, she was the only person willing to watch Noelle while the other two were in school. After school, Emma and Sadie joined Noelle at Mrs. Pine’s, and Trent picked them up at five.

“I don’t like her!” Noelle’s outburst held a tint of fear, and he inwardly sighed at the tears sure to be on their way. “She’s mean.”

No point in arguing. Mrs. Pine didn’t seem to enjoy children much for being a full-time babysitter.

“She spanked Sammy, and he didn’t do anything.” Emma huffed. “He’s only three. That kid cried and cried. Gave Sadie a headache.”

“My head does hurt, Uncle Trent.” Sadie’s small, pitiful voice made his gut clench. Not Sadie, too. He glanced back again. Sure enough, his middle niece was on the verge of tears. Noelle reached over to hold Sadie’s hand.

“And she smokes surrogates.” Noelle’s lower lip plumped out. “It’s yucky.”

“Cigarettes, Noelle,” Emma said sharply. “She smokes cigarettes.”

“Well, I don’t like ’em! They stink. Make me wanna throw up.”

Mrs. Pine smoked? Trent grimaced. This wasn’t a good development. His brother—technically his stepbrother—would not be okay with the girls being exposed to secondhand smoke. Nor would Kevin allow the girls to be physically disciplined by anyone but himself.

None of this was sounding good.

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Purchase Links: The Cowboy’s Easter Surprise

I’m giving away one copy of The Cowboy’s Easter Surprise. Simply answer the question below in the comments to be entered! The winner will be selected via random number generator and announced on the blog Thursday, 03/06/25, in a separate post.

Do you enjoy children in novels?

Thanks for celebrating with me!

Have you joined the FB Petticoats and Pistols Reader Group? Here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2143576775865837

5 Reasons I Love Western Historical Romance Novels

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Photo of horses in pasture. Green and pink bars and flowers. Text, "5 Reasons I Love Western Historical Romance. Petticoats & Pistols."

It’s a chilly morning here, and I’m sipping coffee, thinking about how nice it would be to snuggle up and read all day. I get on kicks where I devour a certain genre, then taper off to the next one. Currently, I’m between genres, but I’m sure it won’t last.

5 Reasons I Love Western Historical Romance Novels

I remember when I first started reading western historical romance novels. I’m pretty sure a Jodi Thomas novel got me hooked roughly twenty years ago. I don’t remember the title, but I do remember reading through her backlist and buying every new book of hers that came out. I particularly enjoyed her wife lottery series.

Side note: Jodi Thomas has been a guest at the P&P junction many times over the years. “How Deep Do Your Roots Go?” is a fun read by her!

Why do I love western historical romance novels? I’ve got five reasons.

  1. Rugged lifestyle of the American west. I’m a sucker for rural settings, tough living conditions, and a no-rules atmosphere to survive in.
  2. Strong, protective cowboys. Sure, strong, protective cowboys aren’t unique to historical romances, but there’s something special about a tough guy protecting the woman in his orbit. Bonus points for strong heroines and a cowboy reluctantly getting in touch with his feelings. *swoon*
  3. Danger! Outlaws, wild animals, and the weather all play factors in western historical novels, and I can’t get enough of the danger. There’s something delicious knowing the characters can’t call 9-1-1 for help. They’re on their own, and we know it.
  4. Trains, wagons, and horses. The transportation options were limited. Going anywhere took more time in those days. I love the slower pace and the forced proximity of characters due to the time period. If the heroine is mad, she can’t hop in her car or on a plane and leave. There will be an argument or a silent stand-off. Bring it on!
  5. Circumstances all but impossible in modern times. Mail-order brides? Yep. An orphan baby a couple can just keep without stacks of paperwork? Uh-huh. Hiding away in a mountain cabin for the winter? You betcha. I love all of these scenarios.

It’s fun to get lost in a world so unlike our own. And now that I’ve taken this trip down memory lane, I’m off to pick up a western historical romance novel!

Do you love western historical romance novels? Why or why not?

Have the best day, and share your favorite western historical romance novels in the comments!

 

Winter Delight – Snow!

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Snow-covered trees against a pale pink and blue sky. Text, "Winter Delight Snow! Petticoats & Pistols"

One winter delight I look forward to every year is snow. There’s something relaxing about sitting on the couch with a hot mug of coffee as snow falls down outside. I especially enjoy the large, intricate snow flakes. They tend to dance down from the sky. Now, the little pellets of snow are not my favorite. They usually come with a storm, and they make the roads slippery. Yuck.

The best is when I wake up and our backyard is covered in a white blanket and snow drips like frosting from the trees. So pretty!

Several years ago, we had a major winter storm. It was one where more snow accumulated each day. We’d shovel the drive. Then the county snow plow would leave a foot of snow and chunks of ice at the end of the drive. We’d shovel again. And repeat the process. I did NOT enjoy that snow experience. It lasted over a week. Here’s a picture of our mailbox from that storm.

Several feet of snow piled around a mailbox

Yes, too much snow can be a problem, but for the most part, I love the white stuff. I don’t even mind shoveling the driveway as long as it’s not too deep.

Winter Delight – Snow!

I recently read an article in the Cowboy State Daily, “What the Heck…Are Those Giant Snowballs that Seem to Roll Themselves?” by Greg Johnson (apologies for the slang in the article’s title). Intrigued, I checked out the photos (click on the above link to see them). Some of those snowballs look like rolled bales of hay. Apparently, the conditions have to be just right for them to form.

  • The surface must be wet, loose and relatively thin.
  • The layer below must be dry snow or ice that will detach easily from the top layer.
  • The wind has to be strong enough to move the roller, but not so strong to break it up.
  • It helps to be on a slope so the roller can be moved along by momentum.
Source ~ “What the Heck…Are Those Giant Snowballs that Seem to Roll Themselves?” by Greg Johnson via Cowboy State Daily

Have you ever seen a giant snowball that seemed to roll itself? I haven’t!

I always chuckle when a movie or commercial features people making snowmen, and it’s obvious these people have never made one in real life. When someone’s casually carrying a massive snowball like it weighs less than a pizza, I shake my head. Large snowballs are heavy–really heavy. It takes muscles to pick one up and plant it on another snowball to form a snowman. And they’re rarely perfectly round. Sometimes they have a little grass or dirt stuck in them. All part of the charm.

Before I wrap this up, I thought you’d like this picture. We had an ice storm years ago, and this tree bore the brunt of it in our backyard. We were blessed the ice didn’t break any of the branches. You can see how overcast and gray the sky was, too. Typical January day in Northwest Ohio.

Ice covered tree branch

I try to enjoy winter as much as possible. By March, though, I’m pretty much over it. I just want to burn my winter coat and feel the warmth of the sun on my bare arms. But for now? I’ll revel in the winter delight of snow.

Do you have snow where you live? Do you like snow? Why or why not?

Enjoy your day!

Yay! No More Political Ads!

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Light blue background with fireworks and party poppers. Text "No More Political Ads. Petticoats & Pistols"

It’s election day in the USA, and I, for one, am glad. Why? Well, let me start by saying that I consider it pretty amazing I can vote, and I do love my country. However, they aren’t the reasons I’m glad the election will be over. Nope, I’m thrilled because, as of tonight, I won’t have to sit through another political ad for a long, long time.

The ads started earlier than usual this year and ramped up each week. It hasn’t been uncommon to see the same advertisement repeated five, ten (one hundred?) times in an hour. Okay, maybe one hundred is stretching it a bit, but the commercials wear on you like water dripping on dry clay. Plus, there are only two or three ads for each candidate, so you can recite each one by heart after a few hours of watching television.

It’s been a lot. Too much.

If you haven’t gotten the message–I AM SO GLAD  I DON’T HAVE TO SEE POLITICAL ADS ANYMORE! No more commercials. No more stacks of political mailers to toss in the trash every day. I can resume throwing out the regular mailers–the roofing ones and credit-card offers! Yippee!

So, I’m sighing in relief. I’m wrapping up in my favorite cozy throw. And I’m basking in normal commercials. I’m even excited for the Christmas ones! We’ll see what company makes me cry first this year. A few years ago, a Dick’s Sporting Goods Christmas commercial had me sobbing. They really know how to tug on the heartstrings. This particular one, The Hoop, featured a dad and his little girl playing basketball, and it shows her growing up. With my own kids getting older, boy, it got to me. Here’s THE HOOP (linked) if you’d like to watch, and I’m embedding it below.

 


So, yes, lots to look forward to starting tomorrow. I can enjoy my morning coffee and watch Good Morning Football  in peace. Last Friday I purchased three bags of Halloween candy at half-off (Twix, Reese’s, and KitKats–yummy!)–I might have one of each to celebrate. I have a new jigsaw puzzle waiting for me. Four novels are stacked haphazardly on the end table. Have I started recording Hallmark Movies? You betcha!

I am ready to relax and enjoy the rest of the year! Who’s with me?

*Please NO political comments–we’re all getting through the day as best we can!! Any political comments will be removed.*

Do you, like me, get sappy at the Christmas commercials?

Have the best day!

 

Favorite Things: Halloween Candy

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Orange, maize, brown background. Image of cup full of lollipops. Text "Favorite Things: Halloween Candy. Petticoats & Pistols"

For the past month, I’ve been at war with myself. Every time I walk into the grocery store, I’m weaving through towers of displays with every kind of Halloween candy imaginable. I push the cart around bags of Reese’s, only to be confronted with “fun-size” peanut M&Ms. *gulp*

I’m not buying it. Come on, Jill, stay strong!

Beads of sweat line my forehead. The cart slows. Maybe I slow. Who knows? But a sharp right turn leads me down the first row of delicious candy. Then the next one. And the next.

I’m pretty sure I clipped a digital coupon for 30% off. And, wait, is that a buy one get one free deal?

Before I know it, five bags of candy are in my cart.

I have no regrets.

Jill Kemerer at fall festival pretending to stir a steaming cauldron
I’m getting into the spooky season spirit at a local fall festival!

Candy, candy, candy! I love it all! (Well, not candy corn, although I will eat it occasionally.)

All this candy brings me back to my days trick-or-treating. We lived out in the country in mid-Michigan. My mom would usually drive my sister and I to trick or treat. We always stopped at Grandma and Grandpa B.’s house first. Good call on my mom’s part. Grandma would take a bag of mini Milky Ways and start dumping them into our bags. I loved her!

Then we’d head to various aunts and uncles and stop at Grandma and Grandpa D.’s house. Grandma usually made up little treat bags. She was a fabulous cook, so when I saw a popcorn ball, I got excited. Occasionally she’d throw in an apple or shelled peanuts, too. I’m not going to lie, I wasn’t into the healthy stuff. The apple and peanuts were probably the last thing I ate!

Another highlight was stopping at our babysitter’s house. Margaret would line a cookie sheet with full-size candy bars, and we could choose any one we wanted. Exciting times!

After we’d made all the stops, we’d head home and dump out our bags. Then came the negotiations. My sister and I had fun trading for favorite candy. My mom and dad always got my Mounds and Almond Joy bars. Coconut wasn’t my thing back then. I don’t mind it now.

I still love Tootsie Rolls. I’m sure it’s from my Halloween days. Oh, and Smarties–the little sugar candies. And Laffy Taffy, and M&Ms, and Twix, and Reese’s, and Snickers, and…

Oh, boy.

I have a problem.

What can I say? I love Halloween candy!

What’s your favorite candy? Were you allowed to trick or treat when you were young?

Have the best day!

A Bear Situation

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Illustrated bear walking through grasses. Peach-tan background. Text "A Bear Situation. Petticoats & Pistols blog. Jill Kemerer."

So…we recently had a bear situation.

My husband and I  went to Asheville, North Carolina, to tour the Biltmore Estate. What a stunning property and house! I don’t know if house is the right word. Mansion doesn’t even do it justice. Castle, perhaps? It’s breathtaking. We rented an Airbnb for a few days and, on the way to the estate, took a wrong turn (okay, more than one!). Things got a little heated.

While I was fiddling with my phone’s Maps app and yelling at the GPS voice telling me to “proceed to the route,” my husband said, “Are you seeing this?”

I looked up, and there was a black bear crossing the road in front of us! Of course, by the time I pulled up my camera app, the bear had disappeared into shrubbery along the side of the road. We’d been noticing people jogging and walking their dogs in the park along the river where the bear had gone. Yikes. I hope they were safe.

Naturally, my hubby and I started discussing what would we do if a black bear appeared in front of us at a park. I told him I’d probably just die. I don’t see myself fighting off a bear. But you never know. Stranger things have happened.

Photo of author Jill Kemerer inside Biltmore House
Here I am in the Biltmore House!

Fast forward to last week when I saw this headline, “Punching an Attacking Grizzly in the Face Might Work, but not Recommended” by Mark Heinz via CowboyStateDaily.com. Apparently, a man in Canada was riding a mountain bike when he came across a mama grizzly with two bear cubs. The bear came at him, knocking him down, and he kept his bike between them to protect himself. She kept coming at him. Out of options, he punched her in the snout, got on his bike and escaped. From the above article:

“Grizzlies almost never attack people with the intent of trying to kill and eat them. But when that happens, all bets are off,” Neal said.

“In the case of a predacious attack, then the victim must fight back with everything that he has, and the nose and eyes should be his top targets,” Neal said.

 

I didn’t realize punching a bear in the nose could be used as a last line of defense. It got me to thinking about the black bear in Asheville.

What would I do if I came across a black bear?

The National Park Service website (NPS.gov) recommends the following if you’re in a bear situation.

“If you are attacked by a black bear, DO NOT PLAY DEAD. Try to escape to a secure place such as a car or building. If escape is not possible, try to fight back using any object available. Concentrate your kicks and blows on the bear’s face and muzzle.” (Staying Safe Around Bears)

And for grizzlies?

“If you are attacked by a brown/grizzly bear, leave your pack on and PLAY DEAD. Lay on your stomach with your hands clasped behind your neck. Spread your legs to make it harder for the bear to turn you over. Remain still until the bear leaves the area. Fighting back usually increases the intensity of such attacks. However, if the attack persists, fight back vigorously. Use whatever you have at hand to hit the bear in the face.” (Staying Safe Around Bears)

To summarize–if you come across a black bear, ESCAPE! If escape is impossible, punch its face. But if you come across a grizzly or brown bear, PLAY DEAD! If playing dead is impossible, punch its face.

Have you ever had a bear situation? If yes, what did you do? If not, what do you think you’d do?

Thanks so much for stopping by!

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Two of my books are discounted this month for Kindle Deals! The Prodigal’s Holiday Hope is on sale for $1.99, and A Cowboy to Rely On will be on sale for $3.99. Both books are part of my Wyoming Ranchers series through Love Inspired. I hope you’ll give them a try!

 

Petticoats & Pistols