Western Romance Series

America Newton – Successful Western Businesswoman and a Giveaway!

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This week, we’re so happy to welcome Tina Dee! She’s been here many times and her posts are always so interesting. Plus, we love her to death. 

In 1869, gold was discovered by an African American rancher and former slave, Fred Coleman in a creek on his property, which started Julian, California’s gold rush. The town became a tent city, practically overnight, with men and families moving in to stake their claims and strike it rich—or make money off those who hoped to. Quickly, this small gold mining town, located in the Cuyamaca mountains, rivaled the city of San Diego in number of residents. It also boasted up to eleven saloons, and only one small jail house featuring two small cells in the middle of town, no office, just the two cells, no frills.

During this rough and rowdy time, one woman, in particular, stood out. Her name was America Newton (1835 – 1917). An African American pioneer, she was one of the earliest Africa American settlers in the area and helped to found the former mining town of Julian. Formerly from Kansas, where she worked for James Cole, America came to California in 1872 with her daughter and ran a laundry service for miners and residents of Julian, though she could neither read nor write.

America, a former slave, operated her laundry business servicing Julian’s population during its gold rush days. She became of the first African American woman to operate a business in the area.

Water for the laundry was obtained by carrying buckets of water from a nearby creek. She heated her irons by the fireplace, which she kept burning by chopping and carrying her own wood. James Cole supplied her with a horse and buggy, which she drove around town to deliver the clean clothes to residents and gold miners. It’s said that she was right hospitable to those who picked up their laundry from her cabin, serving them a drink and a bit of local gossip, no extra charge. Folks enjoyed her friendly and talkative nature.

The Cole family helped America file to own a homestead of 80 acres outside of Julian. They also built her a cabin next to their home. America lived in Julian for 50 years. It’s said that she had a hearing problem and used an ear trumpet to hear.

She had moved to a small, wild, western gold mining town in the mountains, so very far from where she had gained her freedom. As a former slave, widow, and single mother—and with a little help from her friends—she rose to become an entrepreneur in a time when being a woman, and one with black skin, made it hard to just exist. But not only had she existed, she thrived in the Wild West and was successful in her business venture. And, she made people feel good, not just in the fresh, clean clothes they wore, but because she could make them laugh while living a tough life under harsh conditions.

I think about America Newton often. She has the gumption a lot of my heroines are made of.

Just for fun: Please share about someone who has inspired you (family member, friend, or someone from your life, or from history). A winner will be chosen by one of the Petticoats & Pistols Fillies to receive a pretty coffee tumbler with lid (approximately $20 value).

Thank you all for joining me today! It’s always a treat to spend time with Petticoats & Pistols readers. I’ve made two stories free today and tomorrow. One from each of my pen names, each with a heroine I believe has that same gumption America Newton had:  

Kaitlene Dee: Falling for Tallulah

Tina Dee: Keeper of my Heart

Kaitlene Dee, aka Tina Dee, spends time daydreaming about western romances with spunky heroines who insist on having their own stories written, and the swoony cowboys who love them. She often rescues stray dogs and can’t wait to give a forever home to her next dog or two…or five. Kaitlene enjoys gardening, traveling, writing, watercolor painting, and hanging out with reader friends in her Facebook readers group or with her newsletter readers. She’s an avid coffee drinker—and don’t even think about getting between her and a bear claw pastry. Follow her for updates on upcoming releases on Amazon or for many upcoming freebies, giveaways, and fun on her newsletter, here: Join Kaitlene & Tina Dee’s Newsletter

Sisters Who Write by Linda Broday and Jan Sikes

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Jan and I in the little photo taken in the early 1950s. I was probably 6 and she was 3.

Hi everyone, I’m so excited to share my little sister, Jan Sikes, with you today. That’s right, I have a sister who writes. She first wrote a four-book series about her life with country singer, Rick Sikes, and now she has just finished her second fictional series. The opportunity arose and we released our new books together — A Bold Bargain and Cade’s Quest. To the left is a recent picture of us.

But a little about our background. We grew up in a very poor neighborhood of a town in New Mexico that sits on the Texas state line. Few opportunities were available but that didn’t stop us from dreaming of doing amazing things. We had no TV to entertain us, so we turned to books. We were both very avid readers, and each Saturday would find us at the local library where we’d check out the maximum number then rush home to read. Books were our life and still are.

As Jan says, “In elementary school, I checked the Grimm’s Book of Fairy Tales out of the library so many times they had to create a new card for it. That’s a true story. I loved getting lost in the world of ‘what if’ and fantasy as it was so vastly different from my reality. As a child, I lived in my head, often not paying attention to what was going on around me, so that book fed the part of me that longed for something magical. Another book I remember reading multiple times when I was a bit older was The Grapes of Wrath. I related to it so much because our parents lived through that difficult time in history, so there was a personal connection.”

Throughout our lives, we’ve always been each other’s best friend. We talk books and writing almost every Sunday and we critique each other’s work. I love and respect her so much. She’s a great one to bounce ideas off of or get me unstuck when I write myself into a corner.

I was writing and publishing long before Jan did, but I’m just amazed at how far she’s come since her first book in 2013. At times, I think she knows more than I do and I’m really so proud of her.

Fast forward to now and our co-launch.

A Bold Bargain is Book 3 of The Bargainer Series. What if a bargain struck has the power to change a young man’s direction? Jack Blaine has had a rocky start in life and suffered at the hands of his moonshiner father. However, he yearns for a higher education and learning a skill that will give him the life he dreams of. By chance, he happens upon an elderly woman in need and strikes a bargain with her. The greatest acts of kindness are the ones that demand the most from us—and every decision can unlock destiny’s doors. This takes place in 1950 and is classified as historical literary fiction.

In Cade’s Quest, Cade McIntyre vows to find and bring home his five siblings after the town split them all up and sent them to the four winds. The search leads him on a different path and he discovers a Comanche woman needing a place to hide out. As they share a dugout, Cade finds himself falling for her and unable to walk away. A powerful enemy is hunting them both. With danger closing in and the past refusing to stay buried, their chance at love may be as fleeting as dust in the wind. This is Book 1 of the McIntyre series and is a sweet romance.

Both released August 11, 2025.

Here’s our question to you. Have you ever made a bargain (large or small) with someone? Maybe you’ve bargained with God. I sure have. If so, we’d like to hear it. Or if you have a sister, are you close like Jan and me? We’re doing a giveaway. One commenter will get A Bold Bargain (ebook) and two others will get Cade’s Quest (winner’s choice of ebook or print.)

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

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

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

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

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

But not always.

Women Behind the Stalls?

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

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

She’d need to:

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

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

Meet Josie Wylie

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

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

Livery Life by the Numbers

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

The Going Rate

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

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

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

Where Did They Keep It All?

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

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

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

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

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

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

RYLAND’S  PROMISE

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

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

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

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

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

Preorder Link

WHAT MAKES A MOUNTAIN MAN HERO IRRESTIBLE? (AND A GIVEAWAY!) by MISTY M. BELLER

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I’m so excited to visit with my Petticoats and Pistols family again!

If you’ve ever glanced at one of my books, you probably have an inkling how much I LOVE a mountain man hero.

The rugged, self-reliant mountain man holds a special place in the hearts of readers who love historical romance. There’s something undeniably captivating about a man who thrives in the untamed wilderness, facing danger with quiet strength and a determination to survive.

In Saving the Mountain Man’s Legacy, the hero embodies many of these timeless traits that make mountain men irresistible. But what is it about them that draws us in? Let’s take a closer look.

  1. Strength That Goes Beyond Physical

Mountain men are known for their physical strength—hauling logs, scaling cliffs, and braving the harshest elements. But the true allure lies in their inner fortitude. These men endure isolation, danger, and nature’s unforgiving hand. Their resilience shows us that they’re not just physically capable but also emotionally steadfast. This unwavering strength is a cornerstone of the mountain man hero, making him someone we can admire—and trust.

In Saving the Mountain Man’s Legacy, the hero uses his strength not only to survive but to protect those he loves. His ability to endure hardship while still showing tenderness to the heroine is what makes him unforgettable.

  1. A Connection to Nature

Mountain men are deeply connected to the world around them. They understand the land, navigate it with ease, and respect its power. This connection gives them a sense of calm and confidence that’s incredibly appealing. Who wouldn’t want a man who can track a deer, build a fire from scratch, and find his way home under a starlit sky?

In my novel, nature is more than just a backdrop—it’s an integral part of the story. The hero’s ability to navigate the wilderness becomes a lifeline for both himself and the heroine, showcasing his resourcefulness and his bond with the natural world.

  1. A Quiet, Brooding Persona

There’s something irresistible about a man of few words. Mountain men aren’t known for boasting or unnecessary chatter—they let their actions speak louder than words. This quiet, brooding nature gives them an air of mystery that draws us in. We can’t help but wonder what secrets lie beneath their rugged exterior.

In Saving the Mountain Man’s Legacy, the hero’s stoic personality hides a well of emotion and vulnerability, which makes his eventual openness with the heroine even more rewarding.

  1. An Unexpected Tenderness

Despite their rough exteriors, mountain men often surprise us with their tender hearts. These are men who know how to care—whether it’s for an injured animal, a struggling companion, or the woman they love. Their tenderness feels earned, making it all the more precious when it’s revealed.

This duality—rugged strength paired with a gentle heart—is what makes the hero of Saving the Mountain Man’s Legacy so compelling. His care for the heroine and his willingness to protect her, even at great personal cost, show that beneath the gruffness lies a man capable of deep love.

  1. The Ability to Adapt

Life in the wilderness demands adaptability, and mountain men rise to the challenge. Whether it’s a sudden storm, a wild animal encounter, or an unexpected threat, they’re quick on their feet. This resourcefulness makes them dependable and, let’s face it, incredibly attractive.

In the novel, this adaptability plays a key role in the hero’s journey. His quick thinking and ability to face challenges head-on not only saves lives but also wins hearts.

Why We Love Them

Ultimately, the mountain man hero is irresistible because he represents the best of humanity: strength, independence, and a capacity for love that runs deep. He reminds us that even in the harshest conditions, beauty and connection can thrive.

And when he falls in love? He falls hard and forever. (Be still my swooning heart!)

If you’re drawn to a hero who can chop wood, tame a wild horse, and still melt your heart with a single look, then you’ll LOVE Sampson Coulter in Saving the Mountain Man’s Legacy.

To celebrate, I’m excited to give away a signed copy of the previous book in this series, Guarding the Mountain Man’s Secret! To be entered for the giveaway, I’d love to hear what you think makes a mountain man hero irresistible? Let me know in the comments!

Purchase link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKYH43XB?tag=pettpist-20

 

 

INDIAN TERRITORY & THE ALLOTMENT PROCESS–AND A GIVEAWAY! by Kristy McCaffrey

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Federal Indian policy between 1870 and 1900 focused on breaking up reservations and granting allotments to individual Native Americans. In 1887, the U.S. Congress passed the Dawes Act, also known as the General Allotment Act. This law authorized the President to break up reservation land into small allotments. At that time, several tribes were exempt, including the Cherokees, Choctaws, and Chickasaws. However, in 1893 President Cleveland appointed the Dawes Commission to negotiate with the Five Civilized Tribes—the Cherokees, Creeks, Choctaws, Chickasaws, and Seminoles—to begin dividing their lands and dismantling their governments.

The purpose of the Dawes Act, and subsequent extensions, was to protect American Indian property rights, particularly during the land rushes of the 1890s that occurred in the Twin Territories, which encompassed Oklahoma and Indian Territories. But the result often did more harm than good. Some allotted land was unsuitable for farming, and those individuals who did want to take up agriculture often couldn’t afford to invest in the tools, animals, seed, and other supplies needed to begin.

To protect tribal members from land speculators, the government held most of the allotted land in trust, with a stipulation that it couldn’t be sold for twenty-five years. Since tribal land far surpassed the acreage needed for allotments, the government reserved the right to sell the “surplus” to white settlers. Many Indians leased their allotments and moved to urban areas where they later lost touch with tribal ways.

In 1896, the Dawes Commission received congressional approval to compile rolls of tribal members in the Five Nations who would be eligible to receive allotments, allowing it to add individuals who maintained they had not been included on the various tribal census rolls. The commission thus effectively undermined the power of the tribes to determine their own membership and, in the case of the Choctaw and Chickasaw, hastened extensive court action and legal battles over rights to be enrolled. The Choctaw were particularly concerned that large numbers of individuals claiming to be Choctaw from Mississippi came forward to lay claims, thus complicating and delaying the final allotment process.

It wasn’t until 1897 that the commission successfully concluded an allotment agreement with the Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes. The Atoka Agreement called for an equitable distribution of the tribal land base among the members, except for lands set aside for schools and townsites and land reserved because of coal and asphalt deposits. Homesteads of 160 acres would be inalienable for a period of twenty-one years, and the surplus land could be sold, one-fourth in the first year, one-half in the second year, and the remainder by the fifth year after allotment.

In my new novel, The Swan, a group of women must stand against those who would take advantage of Chickasaw orphans and their allotments. The Swan is Book 11 in my Wings of the West series, but it can be read as a standalone.

 

Twin Territories

November 1899

Dr. Anna Ryan has been spurned by the Dallas medical community for the simple reason of being a woman. Wanting more than a rural practice alongside her mother, also a doctor, Anna accepts an invitation from a mentor to join a private hospital for disabled children in Oklahoma City. But when she falls in with a band of women attempting to protect the rights of Chickasaw orphans, she’ll need more than her medical training to survive.

Malcolm Hardy has skirted the line between lawlessness and justice since escaping the mean streak of his father and his no-good half-siblings a decade ago. In Oklahoma Territory he created enough distance from his family name to find a quiet purpose to his days. But then Anna Ryan walks back into his life, and his hard-won peace is in jeopardy.

The last time Malcolm saw Anna, she had been a determined girl he couldn’t help but admire. Now she was a compelling woman searching for answers that could lead straight to him. But one thing was clear—Anna’s life path was on a trajectory for the remarkable while Malcolm’s was not. Surrendering to temptation would only end in heartbreak.

The Swan is an emotional story of a woman finding her true calling and a hero moving forward after a difficult past. It has light steam and a heartfelt and poignant ending.

Read Chapter One and find vendor links at Kristy’s website.

The Swan is based on the idea of The Magnificent Seven, but instead of men, what if the seven were women?

Giveaway

One commenter will win an eBook of THE NIGHTHAWK, Wings of the West Book 10. What is your favorite western movie? Be sure to comment for a chance to WIN!

 

U.S. Deputy Marshal Benton McKay is undercover tracking the notorious train robbing Weaver gang when he’s forced to work with reporter Sophie Ryan.

 

Kristy McCaffrey writes award-winning historical western romances with grit and emotion, along with contemporary adventure stories packed with smoldering romance and spine-tingling suspense. Her work is filled with compelling heroes, determined heroines, and her trademark mysticism. She lives in the desert north of Phoenix with her husband and rescue bulldog, Jeb. Learn more about her books at her website, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

 

Graphics courtesy of Deposit Photos. Book covers by Earthly Charms.

 

MAIL-ORDER FREIGHTER BY PAULETTE D. MARSHALL–AND A GIVEAWAY!

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Hello dear friends and fellow historical romance lovers!

Every book I write begins with a spark—an idea that won’t leave me alone. Mail-Order Freighter was no exception. This time, the inspiration came from a question that tugged at my imagination: What if a woman in the Old West inherited not just a store… but an entire freighting business—and the danger that came with it?

Researching this book was both exciting and eye-opening. I dove into the world of 1800s freighters and wagon trains, learning about the rugged, relentless work these men (and sometimes women!) did to keep goods moving across the rough terrain of the West. From hauling mining equipment and tools, to delivering food, barrels of flour, and even coffins—these freight wagons carried it all. It really made me appreciate the hardships they endured—hours spent on hard wooden seats, in the blistering heat or freezing wind, without even a roof for shelter. It sure makes our modern-day road trips feel like luxury cruises!

 

 

I also loved researching the inner workings of a mercantile. In Helena’s case, her store is the heart of the town, stocked with everything from canned goods and bolts of fabric to lantern oil and hand tools. But as the story begins, she’s not just running the mercantile—she’s fighting to keep it out of the hands of a dangerous man who’s determined to take everything she has. With her late husband gone, and a baby on the way, Helena is running out of options… and time.

Enter Issac—a ranch hand with a restless spirit and a heart ready for more. When he agrees to take on a favor for his boss, he never expects to walk straight into Helena’s storm. And after an accidental scandal and a quick decision that changes both of their lives, Issac becomes more than just a helping hand—he becomes Helena’s husband.

But marrying her doesn’t make the danger disappear. In fact, it puts a target on his back. I love writing characters who are brave in quiet ways, who make hard choices, and who find strength in each other—even when everything seems stacked against them.

Writing Mail-Order Freighter reminded me that sometimes God sends us help in unexpected ways. Just when Helena had lost hope, her letter—her plea for help—was answered.

If you enjoy stories with grit, faith, romance, and a little suspense, I hope Mail-Order Freighter finds a special place on your reading shelf!

Now I’d love to hear from you:

What kind of freight do you think they would’ve hauled in those days? Supplies for the mines? Dry goods for the store? Maybe something unusual? Let me know in the comments! One lucky reader will win an eBook copy of Mail-Order Freighter!

BLURB: (shortened version)

Mail-Order Freighter
Newly widowed and expecting a child, Helena is desperate to protect the mercantile and freighter business she ran with her husband. A ruthless man is determined to claim both—and her—and her time is running out. With no one left to turn to, she sends a letter, praying for help.

Issac, a restless ranch hand, agrees to a favor that leads him straight into Helena’s troubles. When circumstances place them in a compromising position, there’s only one honorable choice: marriage.

But marrying Helena means more than protecting her. It means stepping into danger—and risking everything.

I’d love it if you stopped by my Facebook page and said hi or chat: https://www.facebook.com/paulette.marshall.90

Or joined my reader group Paulette D Marshall’s Readers group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1146608329550650

Until next time,
Blessings,
Paulette D. Marshall

 

 

Riding Shotgun on the Express Stage and Mail + Giveaway

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We have a guest at the junction today! Let’s give a warm welcome to Tracy Garrett, author of Clint!

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Riding Shotgun on the Express Stage and Mail

For the safety of passengers and cargo—such as payroll for the Army stationed in remote forts across the Plains—stage coach companies began using hired guns. Referred to as Shotgun Riders, they road up top with the driver and a rifle, watching the land around them for the outlaws that were the scourge of the stage companies.

When I was invited to write a book in the multiple-author series “Gun for Hire,” my hero appeared fully formed in my mind. I had done research for a previous book, “Grace,” and found a shotgun rider hero for her. Only I latched onto Wells Fargo as the stage company.

It wasn’t until I was refreshing my mind on the job of the man with the gun that I discovered Wells Fargo never employed a shotgun rider—they never carried money or payroll, only mail and passengers. So, in spite of the name of the Hollywood TV series “Tales of Wells Fargo,” starring Dale Robertson, the setting was inaccurate.

Black and white photo of stagecoach and horses running

For “Clint” I chose another stagecoach company, then changed the name a bit to the Express Stage and Mail. You can check out the actual companies that covered the Santa Fe Trail at http://www.legendsofamerica.com/stagecoach/.

These stage lines could travel the 740 miles from Independence, Missouri, to Santa Fe, New Mexico, in fifteen days. The drivers and shotgun riders would have a section of the trail and ride it back and forth, handing off to other drivers and riders. I imagine they got to know the contours of the land they traveled very well: where there was water, where they could take shelter should it become necessary, and where the outlaws had enough cover to prepare an attack.

In “Clint” my shotgun rider was very good at his job—any outlaws crazy enough to attempt to rob a stage he rode never did so again.

“Clint” is the eighth book of ten in the Gun for Hire series and it will hit Kindles on June 30.

Cover for Clint by Tracy Garrett. Cowboy in front of old west building

 

Clint McGuire has always lived by his gun. Desperate to leave behind a past that haunts him, he becomes a deputy in a small Kansas town and vows to protect its citizens from all dangers—even those he brings with him.

Ophelia Walcott enjoys her job as a schoolteacher, but she wants a family of her own and a man who will love her. She finds herself intrigued by the elusive loner who courageously defends the place she calls home.

Clint knows all he can offer Ophelia is trouble and heartbreak, but he is unable to resist the charms of the beautiful schoolteacher. When his secrets threaten their blossoming love, Clint must choose between continuing to live a lie in order to make Ophelia’s dreams come true or facing the truth about his previous life and risk it destroying them both.

 

Excerpt from CLINT:

Chapter One

March 1876

Vinduska, Kansas

“Charlie Ingraham, what is wrong with you today?” Ophelia Dolores Walcott, Lea to all who knew her, joined the ten-year-old at the door to the schoolhouse and scanned the yard of the schoolhouse. She’d left the door open after the other children departed, opening windows on each side of the large room to air it out and clear out some of the chalk dust from her class’s vigorous cleaning of their slates. “You’re as jumpy as a flea in a pack of puppies.”

“I’m just excited. The Stage and Mail is late, Miss Walcott. The westbound stage is already gone, but the eastbound is late. Ma’s coming home today. She said. Her last letter said Grandma was doing fine and she’d be on the stage today. But it’s late and it’s never late. Maybe something bad happened!”

“I’m sure everything is fine, Charlie. Perhaps they were delayed leaving the last stop.” Although it was unusual for the Express Stage and Mail not to be on time. Well, nothing to be gained by speculation. “Come on, help me lay the fire for tomorrow morning, and close up the schoolhouse.” She patted his shoulder gently. “It’s time for you to be getting home.”

“Yes, Miss Walcott. Maybe Pa will know why the stage is late.”

Charlie’s father, Wilson, ran the mercantile and post office. If anyone had news to share, he would. “I bet he will. Let’s close up and go ask him.”

A crowd was gathering by the time she and the boy reached the mercantile, waiting for the stage to arrive. Though it came through on a regular schedule, it took on the excitement of a new adventure every time. Charlie spotted his friends and ran to them. As if on cue, the rattle of the coach wheels on the hard-packed soil sounded in the distance and approached fast.

As it rolled to a stop in front of the Express office, the doors were flung open on both sides and seven passengers spilled out. “That’s it, I don’t care if it costs more. Next time I’m taking the train.” The speaker stumbled off, obviously overwrought. Wilson reached in to help his wife out. Maybelle looked pale.

“Welcome, home, wife.” Wilson kissed her cheek, bringing a little color back.

“I’m glad to be home, Wilson. That was an experience I don’t care to repeat, I must say.”

Charlie came running up. “What happened, Ma?”

“A gang of riders tried to overtake the stage, apparently to rob us.”

Charlie’s eyes rounded. “Outlaws?”

Wilson tucked her closer to his side. “Are you alright, my dear? You weren’t injured?”

Her chin rose as dignity reasserted itself. “They were unsuccessful.” She turned to the driver. “Thank you, both of you,” she included the man on the roof, “for getting us here safely.”

Lea stayed out of the way as luggage was unloaded and the man the driver called his shotgunner sat down where he was and began cleaning his rifle. He was a tall man and lanky, but strong, as he’d hefted boxes and trunks as if they weighed nothing. His dark chestnut hair was a little long and the ends curled just past his collar. As he glanced at her, she was surprised to see eyes as brown as mahogany.

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“Well, Shotgun, we made it.” The driver slapped Clint on the back as he finally climbed down, and huffed out a relieved breath. “That was some fancy shootin’ back there, McGuire.”

They moved out of the way as fresh horses were put in the traces and the wheels of the coach were greased. Then the new driver and shotgun who would take the stage on east to the next stop climbed aboard. Luggage and freight were secured, passengers got in and with a shout and the crack of a whip, the stages began to move.

When the dust settled, Clint McGuire shoved his hat back with one finger. “Johnny, your driving made it easy as a turkey shoot.”

Johnny cackled. “I’ve seen my share of good shotgunners, but you beat all. Between you and that repeatin’ rifle, you made sure them outlaws couldn’t run us to ground, or the westbound, come to that.”

“They won’t be running anyone to ground anymore.” Clint’s expression was grim. It was his job to see that the stage got through and none of the passengers or cargo lost. And he’d done that job well for nearly seven years. Necessary though it was, he was tired of the killing.

The stationmaster, Howard Mills, hurried to where the driver stood stroking and calming the six lathered horses. “What happened? You’re late. I was getting concerned.”

“Howdy, Mr. Mills.” Clint greeted the stationmaster. “We ran into a bit of trouble a few miles out.”

“What kind of trouble?”

“The kind you’ll need the law for.” Johnny joined them. “And the undertaker. If not for Shotgun here, your perfect record of no passengers or cargo lost would have been ruined.”

Mills studied both men. “I’ll send for the sheriff.”

“Before you do, who was the lady standing there a minute ago? Pretty, blue eyes, with a pile of blond hair up on her head.”

“Little thing?” When Clint nodded, he smiled. “That would be our schoolteacher, Ophelia Walcott.”

*

Order CLINT today! Available June 30 for Kindle from Amazon.

Haven’t started the series yet? Find our series page HERE.

Covers of all books in Gun For Hire series

Tracy is giving away one ebook of Clint to a commenter! The winner will be randomly selected on Sunday, June 22nd.

Would you be excited, afraid, or both to be a passenger on a stage coach in the Old West?

Leave a comment to be entered into the giveaway!

Bounty Hunter Trivia + Giveaway!

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Illustrated flowers on white background. Text, "Guest + Giveaway Caroline Clemmons. Petticoats & Pistols"

We have a guest at the junction today! Let’s give a warm welcome to Caroline Clemmons, author of SHAD!

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Hello, Fillies,

Thank you for sharing your amazing blog with me today.

As long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by tales set in the Old West. In fact, I love writing and reading about that time in our history, especially from 1870-1895. My father is partially to blame. He mesmerized me with stories of his ancestors who came to Texas from Georgia in 1877. They had many adventures that continue to fascinate me. Dad was a master storyteller who made the characters in his tales come alive. I believe it is appropriate to recognize his contribution to my career since we are almost at Father’s Day.

For instance, one of my father’s true stories was about a relative named Claud who was sheriff in a small western town. The family had a kinsman, Ossie, visiting from Georgia. During Ossie’s visit, outlaws robbed the bank. While Claud led the posse to capture the robbers, an angry mob decided to lynch Ossie. Never mind that Ossie was staying in the sheriff’s family home. With typical mob stupidity (likely fueled by alcohol), the hotheads decided Ossie had stolen their money simply because he was the only newcomer in town. Claud and the posse returned with the real culprits barely in time to save Ossie from being lynched. I’ll bet Ossie never returned for another visit!

Situations like that one can make a man cynical, wary, and harden his heart against his fellow man. Can you imagine a series about loners who have grown to distrust others? Guns For Hire is a series about bounty hunters, lawmen, and outlaws and the women who teach them how to love. Earlier, Cheryl Pierson and Linda Broday were featured here with their releases from this series, LANDON and CREEK.

My book, SHAD, releases June 15th. In the short time until then, SHAD is available for preorder. Shad, who slips in and out with no more noise than a shadow, is a bounty hunter. He’s the caretaker of his uncle who received a brain damaging blow in the Civil War and is now like a mischievous boy of twelve in a charming and handsome man’s body.

Avonleigh Adams, the heroine, is a fiery and intelligent redhead with green eyes and a strong spirit. She and her father own a beautiful ranch in northern New Mexico Territory. A land grabbing neighbor has decided to gain control of the area, starting with the Adams Ranch. Isn’t there always someone who feels entitled to take whatever he wants?

In my research for SHAD, I learned a few surprising things about bounty hunters. In spite of what we see in movies and on television, author and historical researcher Jennifer Uhlmarik says most rewards were from $25 to $200 rather than thousands. Exceptions to this included $10,000 for the Wild Bunch and $5,000 for Billy the Kid. (from Heroes, Heroines, and History blog, February 25, 2025.)

The Wild Bunch Gang Wanted Poster, $1000 Reward

One of the most successful bounty hunters of the Old West was John Riley Duncan. After trying several careers, he fell into law enforcement in Dallas, Texas, mostly dealing with small crimes. This changed with the pursuit of Wes Hardin, infamous outlaw in the area. The Texas Rangers recruited Duncan to work undercover. He followed Hardin to Pensacola, Florida, where—with various law enforcement agencies—Hardin was captured and taken in by Duncan and his associate, John Armstrong. Duncan received nearly four thousand dollars for Hardin’s capture. After that and until the end of his bounty hunting life, he collected around twelve thousand dollars, which would be equivalent to well over $375,000 today. (Calculators via Google vary in the amount, but all agree inflation makes it a large sum.) This made Duncan one of the most successful bounty hunters of the Old West.

Shad Stone is not after a career in bounty hunting. His goal is to gain enough in savings to buy a ranch where he can raise cattle and breed fine horses while keeping tabs on his uncle. Though injured in the process, Avonleigh Adams escapes kidnapping by the land grabbing neighbor. She is determined to reclaim her family’s ranch, but how? Shad has a plan to achieve both but it requires precision—and luck.

 

Cover of Shad by Caroline Clemmons. Mountain backdrop with cowboy.

Shad Stone is a bounty hunter with a mission. His uncle’s shenanigans have cost him the nest egg he had saved to buy a ranch and hang up his guns. Now he has to start over, so he wants to bring in a high-dollar capture. Shad’s sheriff cousin provides him with the wanted posters and a warning—dead men can’t buy anything. Shad is still determined to capture a man wanted for murder and a string of other offenses. The problem is the criminal keeps a dozen gunfighters with him and pays the local lawman to cooperate.

When Shad arrives near the culprit during a storm, he takes shelter in a cave where he discovers Avonleigh Adams. She was badly injured in her escaped from the murderer and her most serious wound is septic. The last thing Shad needs is the complication of any woman yet he can’t abandon a wounded and virtually helpless person. He learns the man he seeks has stolen her family’s ranch and bushwhacked her father.
How can one man win against a dozen gunfighters? Can the woman he saved now save him by teaching him to trust love?

Purchase SHAD on Amazon!

 

Photo of author Caroline Clemmons

Caroline Clemmons writes about forceful and handsome western heroes, the strong and determined women who love them, and the scheming villains who challenge them. The over 85 books she’s created have made her an Amazon bestselling and award winning author. She has written sweet and sensual romances but now writes sweet books about the West: historical, contemporary, and time travel romances and cozy mysteries.

Caroline and her Hero live in North Central Texas cowboy country where they ride herd on their rescued pets. When she’s not writing, she loves spending time with her family, reading, dining out, travel, browsing antique malls, digging into family history, checking Facebook, and taking the occasional nap. Find her at http://www.carolineclemmons.com.

Giveaway Alert!

Caroline has generously offered to give away an e-book to two readers who leave a comment. The winners will be randomly selected and announced on Sunday, so be sure to stop by the junction then!

Would you have made a good bounty hunter? Why or why not?

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

Kathleen Lawless on the Significance of Family

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Throughout history, the existence of the family unit has played a significant role, continuing to have a huge impact on most of our lives. Because of the opportunity to improve one’s fortune, and the types of employment available, never mind plain old gender inequality, the early settling of the West drew more men than women. As more communities were created a settled, the result was a disproportionate percentage men and women of marrying age.

The early settlers who struck out in search of new opportunity and the chance to settle new lands soon realized that when people compete for the same land and resources, success and failure often depended how prolifically one is able to reproduce. Extra sets of hands are imperative to work the farm or the ranch. One way men chose to attract a woman partner was to advertise for a bride.

I’ve written many mail order bride romances, but I wanted to do a different type of series with Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Thus, I set out to create a family of seven brothers; a series where each man eventually meets and marries his soul mate.

As I started creating my leading men, developing their personalities, interests, skills, and goals, I quickly realized that having my heroes be biological brothers didn’t lend itself to the types of conflicts and storylines that would make interesting reading. I didn’t want them to all come from the same background and parents.

I felt the series would have far more appeal if each man was a loner, a product of his individual background and baggage. It’s difficult to be a loner if you grow up in a large family. Thus, I brought together seven young men from a diversity of backgrounds, circumstances, fortunes and talents. Swearing a loyalty to each other, this new family united in a single cause. Revenge.

For fun, I included a set of identical twins, but the others were as different from each other as they could possibly be. My newly-formed ‘found family’ banded together over a stretch of years at different times for different reasons. Having been knocking about on their own, none of them were accustomed to being part of a family dynamic, let alone the cooperation and compromise required to ensure a family functions and thrives.

One of the rabbit holes my research into families throughout history led me to was the ‘birth order theory’, where the eldest is perceived as the leader, the most responsible and conscientious. Middle children are thought to be more adaptable, diplomatic, and good at keeping the peace. The youngest is often seen as more playful, sometimes having a rebellious streak, or being irresponsible.

With seven brothers in my fictional family, did that mean there were five middle-children? Or two that were more irresponsible, while two who clashed for the leadership role. Numerous possibilities presented themselves. Maybe the elders were the first ones who formed this rag-tag family, while the late-comers were viewed as the youngsters, regardless of biological age.

Along the way, I couldn’t resist a quick analysis of my own siblings and my own children to test out the birth order theory.

Meanwhile, the series progressed with varying levels of commitment from the ‘brothers’ some intending to leave once the need for revenge had been fulfilled, others resenting the changes that befell their family, as one-by-one each brother claimed a bride. The remaining bachelors weren’t always happy about the intrusion of a woman, let alone several women into their male-dominated lives.

The end result was tons of fun, with lots of conflict. Not unlike every family I have ever known, including my own. But one thing is for sure. Differences aside, family is and always will be, the backbone of society as we know it today.

What do you think about the birth order theory as it applies to your own family?  Do you think a found-family, together by choice rather than birth, can share the same loyalties as one that shares blood? What about children who are adopted? Or an only child? I don’t always see eye-to-eye with my siblings, but when we lost a parent recently, I was very grateful not to be an ‘only’.

Leave a comment below, sharing some of your thoughts and theories regarding family for one of three chances to win a free copy of Book 1, Brody’s Bride. If you’ve already read the series, I’ll gift you a different title from my back list.

Meanwhile the series prequel, Before the Brides is available to everyone who signs up to join my VIP readers list. http://eepurl.com/bV0sb1

You can learn about the Seven Brides for Seven Brothers series, tagline: “Bridgerton meets Yellowstone.” CLICK HERE

About Kathleen:

USA Today Bestselling Author Kathleen Lawless blames a misspent youth watching Rawhide, Maverick and Bonanza for her fascination with cowboys, which doesn’t stop her from creating a wide variety of interests and occupations for her many alpha male heroes. Blaze in One Fantasy Fall is a movie stuntman, who rides a Harley instead of a horse.

With over 60 published novels to her credit, she enjoys pushing the boundaries of traditional romance into historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense and women’s fiction.

She makes her home in the Pacific Northwest and loves to hear from her readers.  http://www.kathleenlawless.com

Sign up for Kathleen’s VIP Reader Newsletter to receive a free book, updates, special giveaways and fan-priced offers.    http://eepurl.com/bV0sb1

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Heather Fry Blanton Talks Proximity and Emotional Tension Trope

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Trust on the Trail: Forced Proximity and Emotional Tension in Frontier Romances

There’s something deeply compelling about a romance that begins with distrust and danger, especially when it unfolds on the rugged frontier. In Western and frontier fiction, the “forced proximity” trope—where two strangers are thrown together by circumstance—is a beloved storytelling device. Why? Because it strips away all pretense and forces characters to confront not just each other, but themselves.

In stories like my new release, Lance, from the Gun for Hire series, Lance Wister finds himself wounded and on the run. He’s got no choice but to accept help from a wary peddler named Cat Callahan. She could turn him in. But she’s running from something, too, and he could bring trouble to her door. Survival, however, demands that they work together, and slowly, necessity begins to shift to something deeper.

On the frontier, trust isn’t just emotional—it’s practical. Will this person guard my back? Tend my wounds? Keep my secrets? When you’re traveling alone through Colorado’s wild terrain, every decision is high-stakes. Forced proximity amplifies the tension, especially when characters are hiding past sins or running from pain. And it’s in those quiet, inescapable moments—sharing a campfire, sharing a wagon bed, binding a bullet wound—where the seeds of intimacy are planted.

But here’s where the faith element takes root.

In many of these stories, trust doesn’t just bloom between two reluctant partners. It also becomes a journey back to trusting God. Often, both characters are running from something, like danger, or more emotional elements like grief, betrayal, or shame. They’ve lost faith in people, and sometimes in the Lord Himself. But being forced to depend on a stranger reveals a deeper truth: that God hasn’t abandoned them. He’s working, even in the wilderness, even in the mess.

For Lance and Cat, being “stuck” together becomes divine design. It’s not just about survival—it’s about healing. Scripture tells us that iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17), and sometimes God uses the most unlikely people and situations to refine us. What begins as distrust slowly turns to cooperation, then protection, and finally—if they’re brave enough—love.

That’s the heart of the frontier romance: it reminds us that in the loneliest, most desperate places, God still writes love stories. He still calls the broken into partnership. And He still brings beauty from the hardest trails.

 

So the next time you pick up a romance with a wounded outlaw and a wary heroine forced into close quarters, remember—it’s not just sparks and suspense. It’s about learning to trust again… each other, and the One who never left.

Can you think of a Western romance that hinges on forced proximity? What do you think of this trope? Comment below for your chance to win one of 5 copies of my new release. Lance and Cat are waiting to get to know you!

About Heather:

Heather Blanton is an award-winning and USA Today bestselling author of thirty Christian Western romances, including the highly rated and awarded “Romance in the Rockies” series.

She is a former journalist and often weaves real history in among her fictional storylines. She loves exploring the American West, especially ghost towns and museums. She has walked parts of the Oregon Trail, ridden horses through the Rockies, climbed to the top of Independence Rock, and even held an outlaw’s note in her hand.

Her novels are all Christian Western Romance because she enjoys writing about feisty pioneer women who struggle to find love and hold on to their faith. Like all good, old-fashioned Westerns, there is always justice, a moral message, American values, lots of high adventure, unexpected plot twists, and often a touch of suspense. Her work is inspired by authors like the great Louis L’Amour, Francine Rivers, and Linda Lael Miller, to name just a few. Her Defiance series has been optioned for TV.

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