Western Romance Series

Marlene Bierworth and Her Double Trouble Series!

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Benjamin’s Brides

Double Trouble Series: Book 11

Marlene Bierworth 

Thank you for having me. It has been such a blast writing in the Double Trouble series. The name itself suggests mayhem, and amidst my storyline, involving, a touch of mystery, suspense and adventure, therein lies the question: Which bride will Benjamin choose? Sounds like fun, right? Not so for poor Ben.

I started this title by using my parent’s names (definitely not their story, but their names.) From there, the characters took off and created a happily-ever-after of their own. I have never written a summary plot for a book, and rarely know the direction it will take until I write the first paragraph. It only takes one word, or a particular phrase that comes to mind, to send the story off to who-knows-where. I enjoy writing this way—it’s like reading my own book as it unfolds. Benjamin’s Brides is sweet entertainment you won’t want to miss.

I am a Christian who writes inspirational stories. I emphasize character growth, life’s solutions that usually point to God, a historical setting that are not presented like nonfiction, and interesting twists, while not overthinking plots—they just happen. I do not take this gift for granted, and depend on the Master Author to guide my pen.

Double Trouble! The premise of this series is men who must deal with two women intent on marrying them. If they thought one woman was a handful, two is more than they can imagine. How will they choose the right one, and what will they do with the other one? What if they don’t care for either of the brides? So many opportunities for great stories.

Check out the entire series here.

Join the fans of this series here.

Here is the blurb for Benjamin’s Brides:

Benjamin Slater has been a good brother, raising his younger siblings after his parent’s death. Now, at the age of thirty-five, the family plots to find him a wife. While working in the hills, Ben meets a battered Leona Baron, and offers her a job on his ranch, only to arrive home and find a mail-order bride awaiting him.

The widow, Lea, is relieved to be rid of her husband who made her life miserable. She realizes she is ill-equipped to survive alone and agrees to follow Ben home, both feeling an attraction they cannot deny.

Rose-Ann Grainfield comes from old money. She answers the mail-order bride ad to marry a cowboy—at least that is what she claims. Is there a sinister plan in the works? The spoiled woman will need to grow in character and integrity to win Ben’s hand in marriage against her cowgirl rival, Lea.

When Devon, the prodigal son returns to the Slater Ranch, plans are foiled, love is rekindled, and loyalties are put to the test. Join in this heartwarming adventure, where broken and trapped hearts search to find their happily ever afters.

Pick up your copy today to see which bride Benjamin chooses.

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I have written two books in that series. Isaiah’s Brides is just as entertaining.

Both are available at Amazon or to Read on KU

Benjamin’s Brides: Get your preorder today. Benjamin goes live with his story on January 15, 2024 THREE days from when THIS BLOG publishes. Pick up your copy here.

Isaiah’s Brides:  It is live on Amazon and KU today. Secrets, loyalties, compassion, God’s faithfulness, and a strange twist of fate rule romance in this historical fun and heartwarming tale of love gone bonkers. Pick up your copy here.

So, my question is: Have you ever (in your past or present) had the option of choosing between two persons seeking your commitment?  Either to keep company with—or even marry? I will choose my winner (Isaiah’s Brides – or another western if you have already downloaded it—no problem) from your answers.

I DID! When I met my husband at the ripe old age of 16, I was going steady with another fellow. Paul was a blind date. I dated him as a favor to my girlfriend who was bugging me to go out with a fellow who worked with her boyfriend at the time. (She didn’t like my steady LOL) I snuck out with him (on a double date with our friends) on Friday night and had a good time, but when he asked me to go out again on Saturday night, I gulped. I had a date planned with my steady.

CHOICES—life is all about choices, and I made the right one. Paul and I have been married for 52 years, have 2 grown children. 5 grandchildren, and 1 great granddaughter with another great on the way in May.

So other than family life, I enjoy reading, oil painting, socializing, and traveling. I love cruising and celebrating life with family and friends. And I love meeting new readers and authors online.

Hope you will become my new friend today!

Other Places to find Marlene Bierworth

Dream Creations: Sweet Romance (Facebook Readers Page)

Book Bub Author Page

Friday Newsletter

Amazon Author Page

LAST BUT NOT LEAST: Heartwarming Romance: My business website.

Meanwhile Isaiah and Benjamin await your viewing.

Thanks for letting me spend this time with you all. I look forward to reading your comments. And if you have any questions, you can ask there too. Hope to see you on the Internet soon.

Respectfully,

Marlene Bierworth

Bringing hope & encouragement to the nations through fictional characters & the written word.

Kara O’Neal Has Unearthed a Research Gem!

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Hello! I’m so excited to be here today! I adore talking about books, and Petticoats and Pistols always offers such wonderful content. Hopefully, I only add to it!

I’ve been a published author for 10 years now – my anniversary was in September – and I’ve completed two series. The Texas Brides of Pike’s Run has 22 books in the series, and my Gamblers and Gunslingers series has 6. Writing all of those books has required a lot of research. I’ve learned so much about people, places, patterns, fashions, trains, horses…my goodness! The list is never-ending!

Probably the most interesting topic I ever had to delve into was how society saw, and treated, people with Dyslexia in the 1800s. I needed this information for The Inventor’s Heart, which is the 14th book in the Texas Brides series.

I didn’t come across anything that detailed any cruelty, but I did discover that, at one time, a German physician, did extensive research in the 1870s on people who struggled to read.

In my readings, I learned that it was thought that people with Dyslexia actually had trouble with their vision. Dr. Kussmaul found otherwise. He said that those who struggled with reading had a print deficit, but he still termed the difficulty as “word blindness”.

This information helped Alex, the hero of The Inventor’s Heart, figure out how to help Julia, the woman he loves, who suffers from reading difficulties.

The Inventor’s Heart truly was a beautiful book to write. Alex is considered a genius and attended Yale, essentially working in the field of electrical engineering. And, let me tell you, learning what they knew about electricity during the 1870s and 80s was also interesting, but I digress.

Because Alex is so smart, Julia doesn’t think she’s good enough for him. He sets out to prove her wrong. Alex and Julia’s story is one of the most moving romances I’ve written. It was a joy to bring them to their happy beginning!

In all of the books you’ve read, what have you learned that has stuck with you? Was there a book that enlightened you or taught you something?

Leave a comment and you could win an ebook copy of The Inventor’s Heart and also the first in the series, Welcome Home.

The Inventor’s Heart

Thank you so much for having me! I look forward to your answers!

Kara O’Neal

Kara’s series:

Texas Brides series – https://books2read.com/ap/xdPlZ4/Kara-ONeal 

Gamblers and Gunslingers series – https://books2read.com/ap/xdPlZ4/Kara-ONeal 

The Inventor’s Heart – https://books2read.com/u/3n7oqo

Welcome Home – https://books2read.com/u/47XZ8j

 

Courting Candles and Courting Miss Emma

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I’ve always been drawn to the courting rituals of old for the structure they provided. The unspoken rules always had to be adhered to—or else.

Courting in your ancestors’ days was entirely different from now. Suitors first called on the girl’s father and got his permission and a time was set. There was no pulling up in front of the house and honking the horn. Nope. There were rules to be obeyed.

At the appointed time of the young man’s arrival, the father would get out a courting candle—a metal contraption that consisted of a heavy coil. He’d set a taper in it and adjust it by turning the candle to whatever height he saw fit. The time was purely at his discretion. He’d then place it where the couple were going to sit.

If he liked the suitor, he might set the candle high so it would burn for a while.

If he didn’t approve of the boy, he’d set the candle low.

But whether high or low, when the candle burned down to the top of the coil, time was up and the father would show the young man to the door. If the suitor argued about it, the dad might show him the toe of his boot! Or a rifle. I’m sure many a one left that way.

On rare occasions when the suitor met with joyous approval, the father might let a second candle burn after the first was all the way down.

These courting candles were used by rich and poor families alike and set boundaries that had to be adhered to. They provided a quiet yet firm reminder that the girl’s father was boss and his word was final.

I sort of like this old tradition where no words needed to be said. The candle spoke loud and clear.

I had no need for a courting candle in my new Courting Miss Emma because she was nearing thirty and her father was out of the picture. Having never been kissed or even knowing of a man’s embrace, she often dreams of being courted. And loved. But as the hangman’s daughter, the chances of any man seeing her as a prospective bride are zero

Yet, their new neighbor Stone Landry didn’t give two hoots about who Emma’s father was. He sees something rare in Emma and he wanted her. However, having spent his life as a soldier, he knows absolutely nothing about courting so his efforts do not go smoothly.

While Emma and Stone are trying to figure that out, they’re forced to unite in a fight against ruthless men determined to take their land and Emma is in a fight for her life. It’s in question if they’ll get that chance to perfect their courting ritual.

Throw in a family of camels, the group of orphans and their humorous escapades, and a crotchety friend who arrives with an old rusted cannon and you have plenty of action.

I hope you give Courting Miss Emma a try. It’s a sweet historical romance.

I’m giving an ebook of Courting Miss Emma to two people who leave a comment mentioning a courting incident either in real life or in a book you read.

Special project! The Legacy of Rocking K Ranch

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I have a novella collection releasing in January.

This is a fun ‘extra’ I found time to do and I realized I haven’t talked about it.

Next month we go Christmas-y…but maybe I can work The Legacy of Rocking K Ranch into the Christmas fun.

Then BOOM January 1, here comes the book!

I’d better at least MENTION it this month.

The Legacy of Rocking K Ranch is something I’ve wanted to do myself for a long time, but it’s just never quite worked out.

That is, take a dynastic western family and follow them through the generations.

Start when they first go west on the Oregon Trail maybe, then found a ranch. Next raise up some tough cowboys and cowgirls.

Just follow them generation after generation. I AM TELLING YOU I THOUGHT OF THIS BEFORE YELLOWSTONE! I SWEAR!

When a chance came to team up with three other authors and do this, I jumped at it, and it became the Legacy of Rocking K Ranch.

I wrote this a long time ago…maybe before Covid even. And kinda forgot about it. The release date was first probably not even going to happen, then all of a sudden it’s back on…where’d I put that book again?

And now, finally, here it is. My book is the beginning. Then Darcie Gruger has the child from my book all grown up.

Next is Becca Whitham then on to Kimberley Woodhouse whose story is the next generation looking back at where she came from, and finding her own future through the strength of her forebearers. Especially the women.

The Legacy of Rocking K Ranch

Six Decades of History Unfurls on a Wyoming Ranch
 
Journey to untamed Wyoming where four generations of women experience love, loss, grace, adoption, struggles with the law, relationships with natives, and through it all, family bonds.
 
Eleanor by Mary Connealy   
1850 – Wagon train guide, Ray “Wild Cat” Manning, can’t ignore the abandoned wagon stricken with smallpox. Eleanor Yates, now widowed with an ailing daughter, says yes to Wild Cat’s marriage of convenience. It is her only choice—but far from her romantic dreams.
 
Grace by D. J. Gudger   
1867 – Grace Manning abandons her journey east at Fort Laramie. The ranch is where she belongs. Unable to reach her father, Grace scrambles to find a way home. Captain Winfield Cooper is mustering out in a few short days. The gold fields at South Pass City are calling but a lonely laundress pleads to tag along with him and his motley men. Will this woman who refuses to unveil her face derail his dreams? 
 
Caroline by Becca Whitham       
1886 – Ray Cooper escaped reservation life by pursuing a degree from Harvard, but it hasn’t granted him the respect he craves in Washington, DC. Caroline Forrester longs to be more than a society hostess for her father. As the two fight against the Dawes Act, they also fight their growing attraction.
 
Penelope by Kimberley Woodhouse  
1910 – Penelope Cooper, an ambitious writer, is commissioned by her publisher—and future husband—to present tales of the American West. She returns to her family’s ranch in Wyoming along with photographer, Jason Miller, to interview the women of her family. But will rediscovering her past make Penelope reconsider her future?

Are you watching Yellowstone?

Do you like books that come from history and go all the way to more modern times?

Leave a comment to get your name in a drawing for a $25 Amazon gift card.

And have a wonderful THANKSGIVING!!!!!!

 

 

Whittled, Woven, and Wrapped in Western Love

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The Fillies welcome Laura Ashwood and her fun post about handmade Christmas gifts in time’s past. Don’t miss her giveaway further down. 

Whittled, Woven, and Wrapped in Western Love

Can you feel it? That crispness in the air that whispers of winter and the festive times just around the corner. It’s got me all wrapped up in thoughts of those simple, heartfelt holidays of yesteryear. You know, the kind where every gift had a touch of personal charm because it was made by hand, with love woven into every fiber and stitch, along with a sprinkle of family tradition. Let’s take a moment to appreciate the art of homemade gifts that might have been crafted by the characters we adore.

Picture a cozy homestead, the fireplace crackling as a family gathers to celebrate the season. There, on the mantle, rests a hand-quilted throw, each patch a different color, each thread a different memory. Quilting was more than a pastime; it was a way to tell a story, a way to keep a family’s history alive. A mother might have spent months stitching together a quilt for her daughter or daughter-in-law – a symbol of her love and prayers for warmth and comfort in the years to come.

In the kitchen, the scent of cinnamon and sugar mingles with the earthy smell of pine. Jars of preserves line the shelves, each one filled with the fruits of summer’s labor. These jars are not just food; they’re a reminder of sunny days and the laughter that echoed through the fields as families worked side by side. Gifting a jar of homemade jam or pickles was like sharing a piece of the summer gone by, a sweet taste of the past to savor during the long winter months.

And how about the simple yet profound act of candle making? In a time when electric lights were a novelty, candles were a necessity. Making candles from beeswax or tallow was a way to ensure that the light of the family’s love would continue to shine, even on the darkest nights.

Not all gifts were practical, of course. Some were purely for the joy they brought. A father might whittle a small toy for his child, creating it from a piece of wood with his own hands, imagining the smile it would bring to his little one’s face. Or a young man might pen a poem for the girl who had captured his heart, pouring his feelings onto the page in the hope that his words might convey what he may not have had the courage to speak out loud.

In those times, every gift told a story, every gift was a prayer. They were tokens of affection, crafted not just with hands but with hearts full of love and hope. As we look for ways to share our love with those dear to us this holiday season, perhaps we can take inspiration from the past. Maybe we can find joy in the simple act of creating something with our own hands, something that says, “I love you,” in a way that words or a store-bought gift never could.

In my own book, A Groom for Ruby, Ruby has opened her heart and home to an orphaned child name Everett. Everett has never experienced the joys of Christmas. As Ruby shares As Ruby shares Bible stories with him, Everett becomes captivated by the tale of Noah’s ark. Moved by Everett’s wonder, Cullen, with skilled hands and a generous heart, crafts a miniature ark complete with hand-whittled animals, creating not just a gift, but a cherished memory.

I’d love to give one of you a signed paperback copy of A Groom for Ruby. Simply leave a comment and tell me the most memorable gift you have either made or received. I can’t wait to hear your stories.

 

Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08S6YBQPM?tag=pettpist-20/

Website: http://www.lauraashwood.com

A Chef, a Cook, and a Sweet Romance

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Tomorrow is the day!

Release day for Challenging the Chef!

I’m thrilled to share this book with you because it was such a joy to write Owen and Tawni’s story.

Owen had it all. A skyrocketing career as a celebrity chef, a life in New York many only dream of. But when his uncle needed him, Owen walked away from it all. After his uncle’s death, he stayed in Summer Creek, a small-town full of people who flock to Owen’s restaurant, and not just because it’s the only place open for dinner.

Tawni loves to cook, and is excited about learning from the celebrity chef she had a crush on during her enter last year of college.

But when these two meet, nothing is like their expectations.

 

When an interloper arrives in his kitchen, will romance start to simmer?

Chef Owen Thorpe left behind his celebrity status when he moved to Summer Creek. The quaint town and country atmosphere allow him to seek solace in his recipes. His peace and quiet is threatened when he’s coerced into being part of a big auction package that includes the winner spending a week cooking with him in his restaurant. The last thing he wants is some chef wannabe in his way. However, the real danger he faces is losing his heart when the winner turns out to be a beautiful woman who knows her way around a kitchen.

Burdened by the weight of her demanding career as a school psychologist, Tawni Young turns to cooking and gardening to escape from the never-ending stress of her work. When her aunt gifts her an auction package that includes cooking lessons in the small town of Summer Creek, Tawni realizes the chef she’ll be working with is none other than a celebrity she had a huge crush on during her college years. From the moment the two of them meet, an undeniable attraction sizzles while wits collide.

As they embark on a tantalizing journey of culinary delights, will Tawni and Owen discover the most important ingredient is love?

In this heartwarming and deliciously wholesome tale, Challenging the Chef takes readers on a savory adventure filled with sweet romance.

You can read the first chapter here!

Read the entire Summer Creek Series!

  • Catching the Cowboy
  • Rescuing the Rancher
  • Protecting the Princess
  • Distracting the Deputy
  • Guiding the Grouch
  • Challenging the Chef

What’s one thing you do to relax or unwind? 

Please share your answer in the comments.

I like to bake!

Also, if you haven’t yet, you can download a free Summer Creek themed bundle of goodies that includes a short story, printable bookmarks, a puzzle, coloring pages, and a recipe!

The Little Cannon That Started A Revolution

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The Fillies are proud to welcome Debra Holt to the corral with an interesting post. She has a giveaway at the bottom.

Once upon a time, nearly 200 years ago, there was a cannon…

It’s the 1830s, and Texas is a vast expanse of untamed beauty. Rolling plains stretch as far as the eye can see, punctuated by cacti and the occasional hum of wildlife. However, this tranquil landscape conceals rising tensions. American settlers, known as Texians, are growing restless under the Mexican government’s tightening grip. Central to our story is a small cannon gifted to the settlers of Gonzales by Mexican authorities to defend against potential Native American attacks.

Fast-forward a few years to 1835. As tensions reach a boiling point, the Mexican government, possibly regretting its earlier generosity, sends a detachment of 100 soldiers to Gonzales. Their mission? Retrieve the cannon. But the people of Gonzales, sensing the symbolic significance of this request, aren’t willing to comply that easily.

A Symbol of Defiance

The Texians, demonstrating their spirit of resistance, crafted a flag as a powerful retort. On it was a depiction of the very cannon in question, a lone star, and a daring message: “Come and Take It.” This wasn’t merely about a piece of artillery. It was a statement of autonomy, a declaration of their rights, and a refusal to be subdued.

Envision the Standoff

On one side, 100 Mexican soldiers were determined to carry out their orders and return with the cannon. On the other, a group of settlers, their improvised flag catching the wind, the small but symbolic cannon beside them, prepared to defend their principles.

The Skirmish

On October 2nd, as dawn broke over the Texian horizon, a confrontation became inevitable. With a burst of activity, the Texians mounted an offensive. Though the ensuing battle was brief, its repercussions were profound. The Mexican troops, perhaps taken aback by the settlers’ resolve, soon retreated, their mission unfulfilled.

Remarkably, this “battle” saw minimal casualties: one injured on the Mexican side, with the Texians emerging unscathed. Yet, its significance cannot be understated.

Ripples of Revolution

Given its scale and immediate impact, the Battle of Gonzales might seem like a mere footnote. However, in the grand tapestry of history, it was the matchstick that ignited the Texas Revolution. Word of this defiant stand spread rapidly, galvanizing Texians across the region. The “Come and Take It” banner became emblematic of their cause—a tangible representation of the Texian spirit.

In the following months, that spirit would be tested in conflicts like the Battle of the Alamo, culminating in the decisive Texian victory at the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836. All of this traces back to that small cannon in Gonzales and the unyielding will of those who stood by it.

Legacy

Today, “Come and Take It” remains an enduring symbol of Texan pride, identity, and resilience. It’s a testament to the notion that even in the face of overwhelming odds, steadfast determination can prevail.

The Battle of Gonzales teaches us about the significance of symbols, the importance of standing up for your beliefs, and the ripple effects a single event can generate. So, if you ever find yourself in Gonzales, Texas, take a moment to remember the little cannon that stood at the heart of a burgeoning revolution.

GIVEAWAY:

I’m excited to send one of you a copy of my new book, The Texas Cowboy’s Christmas Miracle. It’s the 4th and final book in my Texas Heritage Series. Tell me, what’s your favorite part of Texas’ history? And what makes it your favorite?

 

ABOUT DEBRA:

Born and raised in the Lone Star state of Texas, Debra grew up among horses, cowboys, wide open spaces, and real Texas Rangers. Pride in her state and ancestry knows no bounds and it is these heroes and heroines she loves to write about the most.  She also draws upon a variety of life experiences including working with abused children, caring for baby animals at a major zoo, and planning high-end weddings. (ah, romance!).

Debra’s real pride and joys, however, are her son, an aspiring film actor, and a daughter with aspirations to join the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  (more story ideas!)  When she isn’t busy writing about tall Texans and feisty heroines, she can be found cheering on her Texas Tech Red Raiders, or heading off on another cruise adventure.  Writing romances, both contemporary and inspirational, is both her passion and dream come true, and she hopes her books will bring smiles…and sighs… to all who believe in happily-ever-after.

A New Venture into the World of Short Stories

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Howdy!

And good morning!

Well, I guess it was earlier this year when our wonderful blog creator, Pam Crooks, wrote to me to ask me if I might contribute a short story to their anthology.  (I hope that’s the right word.)

Short stories have never been my niche.  I tend to be “long winded” and need a little space in order to collect my thoughts.  And, I love the freedom of setting up the story and having what seems to me to be lots of time to tell the story properly.  But, I told Pam I’d try.  The upshot of this was that I did write a short story, which is still in the anthology you can find here on the blog, and found it was a little easier to write than I had thought it would be.

My considerations on not writing short stories have been that every word counts (forgetting that this is true in a long novel, too).  But, I do much, much research for my stories and so I have my mind full of true stories from the early days of the traders first coming into Blackfeet Country as told by James Willard Schultz.  I tell these true stories to my grandchildren often when I pick them up from school, and, because they seem to like them (they often request a story from me), I thought that maybe I could use what I have learned from these early accounts  to write a romantic fiction story, based on these tales from the early 1800’s.

Lo and behold, I found it to be fun…not the grind I had thought it would be.

Now, over the years, I’ve taken a few of the beginning parts of a couple of my stories (where the hero and heroine are children or teens) and have made them into little books of my own making for my grandchildren.  With recent editing of these and getting two of them together for the book, I’ve now published a book of three Historical Native American Romance short stories for teens and young adults.

They are sweet stories of first love, but also tell of some of the real and true dangers the Indians encountered in our long ago past.  And so, I’ve now published all three of these stories in a book entitled, THE COURTSHIP OF MEDICINE PAINT, using the pen name of Genny Cothern.  They are stories from the early days in the wild west and the first story of Medicine Paint is based on two true stories, though highly fictionalized.

The other two stories are MOON WOLF AND MISS ALICE and RED HAWK AND THE MERMAID.

Here is the link:  https://tinyurl.com/thecourtshipofmedicinepaint

Because this is a new venture for me, it sure would warm my heart if you’d go over and have a look.  Soon, I hope to have the book in paperback, also.

Now, to other news — if you are on my newsletter list, you’ll know the the entire MEDICINE MAN Series is going on sale on the 12th (Thursday).  But only for a few days.

Book #1, SHE STEALS MY BREATH will be on sale for $.99 cents — Book #1

SHE CAPTURES MY HEART will be on sale for $2.99 — Book #2

and my latest book, SHE PAINTS MY SOUL will be on sale for $3.99.

 

This is the link to the series page:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09X4V1HRT?tag=pettpist-20

And now for a recipe I promised to post to the blog in my newsletter today.  For those of you who are not on my newsletter list, let me repeat a little segment from it:

This recipe comes from the book, COOKING WITH SPIRIT, North American INDIAN Food and Fact by Darcey Williamson and Lisa Railsback.
Plains Pemmican (Traditional)
“Dry long, thin strips of buffalo meat.  Pound meat to a coarse powder.  Cut raw fat into walnut-sized pieces and melt over slow fire.  Pour fat over pounded meat and mix in some dried serviceberries.  Mix it well and pack in parfleches.”
     As many of you might know, when men were going to be going on the war trail or were going to make a long journey, they carried pemmican with them.  It was a nourishing food and could sustain a warrior through many weeks of being away from home — depending upon how long he was going to be away and how much he was able to carry with him.  Often, in my books, the hero of the story shares his pemmican or dried meat with the heroine.
     I’ve never made pemmican, but I’ve mirrored it when I am going on a long car ride and then I use dried meat, butter or coconut oil and usually raisins or other dried fruit.  It is not only delicious, it keeps one alert and very importantly…awake.
So I promised to share my own recipe for dried meat.
Here it is:
     In the old days, they dried meat over a low fire or in a smoke house.  Since I don’t have either of those, I marinade very thinly sliced beef in an equal combination of red wine and traditionally made soy sauce, covering the meat completely.  (I use Ohsawa Nama Shoyu Unpasteurized Soy Sauce.)  I marinade this in the refrigerator (because sometimes I forget about it.)  Usually I marinade it for several days.  Then I dehydrate it in a dehydrator until it cracks when you pick it up and tear it.  (Dehydrating it until it cracks was an instruction my sister on the Blackfeet reservation gave me on when it is properly dried.)  Don’t worry about the wine in the marinade.  By the time the jerky — or dried meat — is done, the alcohol from the wine is gone.  It usually takes 2-4 or more days to dry it.
     Very easy to make (you can often get the meat already sliced thin) and very delicious, nourishing and very satisfying.  It’s from this kind of dried meat that pemmican is made.
     Well, that’s all for today.  Hope you enjoyed the blog and hope you’ll go and check out the new short story book, THE COURTSHIP OF MEDICINE WOLF.  Let me know what you think, and, as always, thank you so much for coming to the blog today and for commenting.

Julie Lence is Jingling Christmas Bells

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The Fillies are very happy to welcome Historical Western Romance author Julie Lence! We hope you make her feel right at home. She has a giveaway so scroll down.

Happy Friday, Petticoats & Pistols! I always enjoy visiting with you and I’m blessed to return this year. For those who don’t know me, I’m historical western romance author, Julie Lence. Something about the ‘old west’ spoke to me when I was young and never let up. For over a decade, I’ve been writing about rugged cowboys and defiant outlaws and the women who’ve managed to tame them without breaking their spirit and zest for life. Since we’re fast approaching the holiday season, I thought I’d share with you an interview Camille Prescott gave not too long ago. She’s the heroine from All I Want for Christmas Is You, a short story I released last year exclusively through Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BDGFKF7N

 

Alongside her parents and sister, Camille has lived on the family farm in Texas her entire life. Her father took ill last winter and passed, leaving Camille, her mother and sister to take over his chores and keep the farm going. Even before losing her father, Camille knew she never wanted to labor in the fields or chop wood. Watching her sister don a man’s coat and trousers and struggle to keep up with their father’s chores solidified her determination to find a man wealthy enough to ensure the future she wanted. But, as Camille and I settle around the table in her kitchen, a pot of tea and the heavenly aroma of warm cinnamon wafting up from the apple pie on the table before us, you’re about to discover that the best laid plans are always susceptible to change.

Julie: Thank you for meeting with me, Camille. What can you tell me about Burke Montgomery? What did you think the 1st time you saw him?   

Camille: The first time he came to the farm was with Landry, to help Slade put a new roof on the barn. Slade’s an outlaw and married to my sister. Landry is Slade’s brother. He’s also an outlaw and owns the saloon in Jackson Creek. Burke is his bartender. I only caught a glimpse of Burke that morning as he and Landry rode across the front yard toward the barn. Ma snuck up behind me and yanked me away from the window, bade me to mop the floors. From what I remember, Burke sat upright in the saddle and didn’t wear a hat.

Julie: What was your 2nd thought?

Camille: I really don’t know. I guess I thought him handsome enough, (she answers, adding a dollop of cream to her tea.) His shoulders are a lot broader than Doug McCallister. Doug is my sister’s ex-fiancé and wealthy. He had enough men working on his ranch to guarantee I’d never work in the fields. He seemed to like the way I brushed up against; I was sure he’d propose marriage to me before the end of the year. (She wrinkles her nose.) Burke has the nicest eyes, but he didn’t have the wealth to keep me from blistering my hands the way my sister blistered hers when she took over Pa’s chores… before Slade came along and took control of the farm.

Julie: How did you go from having an interest in Doug McCallister to having an interest in Burke?

Camille: Doug and his father fell on hard times and moved away. Before that, Ma insisted on several occasions that Burke join us for the evening meal. He was quiet those nights and had impeccable manners. (She pushes the plate of ginger cookies toward me. ) Have one.

Julie: I can’t resist; fresh from the oven, they smell heavenly. Thank you. (I bite into the cookie. Mmmm… they taste every bit as heavenly as they smell.)  So, it was during one of those meals that you began to have feelings for Burke?

Camille: Good heavens, no.  His chiseled cheeks may have been enticing, but he was still Landry’s bartender, and bartender’s don’t make a lot of money. (She breaks off a bite of cookie.) Besides, it was right before Doug moved away that Glen Stafford came to Jackson Creek to help his uncle enlarge the Stafford property. Glen has pretty eyes, and gossip around the church yard hinted he had just enough wealth to afford me the lifestyle I wanted. Then Sarah Jane stole him from me. (Camille pouts.) I was heartbroken. (And brightens.) But then, Burke happened along and that’s when I had a change of heart regarding him and his work.

Julie: What do you like most about Burke?

Camille: Where do I start? (She bites down on her fingernail for a moment.) He’s loyal, kind, caring. He loves me, and when he holds me in his arms—arms that are more muscular than any man I know—I feel cherished and safe, happier than I’ve ever been.  He’s a good man, and I’m a lucky girl.

Julie: How would Burke describe you?

Camille: Smug, sassy, bold… He likes that about me. (She smiles fondly.) He’d also say I’m a good cook, the prettiest girl in all of Texas, and the only girl he’s ever loved.

Julie: And you love him?

Camille: More than anything in the world.

To find out just what caused Camille to have a change of heart and determine she loves Burke, I’m giving away an ebook copy to 2 lucky readers. But first…. tell me your favorite Christmas song.

 

As always, I enjoy meeting fans of western romance. To connect with me, please visit my website or Facebook page. Thank you for visiting with me, and Thank You Fillies for allowing me the opportunity to once again chat with your readers.

http://www.julielence.com

http://www.facebook.com/JulieLence

Hugs,

Julie 

 

 

Recipe for a Delectable Western Romance Novel by Valerie Comer

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Welcome to guest blogger Valerie Comer today, sharing her recipe for a Delectable Western Romance Novel.

If I were going to treat this post as though it were from any reputable food blogger, this is where my life story would go, along with all the reasons this recipe is absolutely guaranteed to tickle your tastebuds and be your new forever favorite. 

 Hmm. Don’t we all hate that part? So let’s pretend there’s a “skip to recipe” button and get right to the details! 

 Delectable Western Romance Novel 

Flavor: “A Surprise Wedding for the Cowboy” 

 Stir together the following tropes: 

  • 2 parts “sudden dad”  
  • 2 parts “nanny” 
  • 1 part “marriage of convenience”  
  • 1 part “fish out of water”  
  • 1 part “newfound family” 
  • 1 part “family drama” 

 Then mix in: 

  • 1 reluctant cowboy 
  • 1 good-girl bank teller turned nanny 
  • 1 20-month-old orphaned toddler 
  • 4 opinionated, interfering parents 
  • 1 sharp, workaholic, billionaire octogenarian 
  • Assorted brothers and cousins 
  • 1 road trip 
  • 1 small town 
  • 1 ranch resort (may substitute a dude ranch or guest ranch, as the flavor is very similar) 

 Fold in: 

  • 4 parts love 
  • 2 generous sprinkles of faith 
  • 2 doses of patience 
  • A blend of understanding and misunderstanding 
  • A sprinkle of wit, wisdom, and laughter 
  • Many, many prayers 

 Stir steadily and methodically, a bit every day for several months, until well-blended and the mixture has expanded to about 60,000 words with a life of its own. Ladle into a heart-shaped pan, smooth out, and apply the heat of beta readers, editors, proofreaders, and advance readers. Tweak ingredients as required. 

 When the story has set, decorate with: 

  • A charming cover 
  • A provocative description 
  • A sprinkle of fairy dust! 

 Servings: There is no limit to the number of readers who can be served. 

 There you have it: the recipe I used to create A Surprise Wedding for the Cowboy, the first title in my new Sweet River Ranch Romance series. Here’s a bit about the story: 

Everything hit all at once. Tate Sullivan became the guardian of his young nephew after his brother’s death, and now Grandfather has bought a failing guest ranch in Montana. Tate’s used to handling their hotel empire, but moving halfway across the country and learning an entirely new, rural business model is a challenge, especially with a toddler in tow. 

 Nice girls finish last… or that’s what it seems like to Stephanie Simpson when her ex-boyfriend, a pastor, proposes to a former bad girl. It’s not that Stephanie wants her ex to rethink his life choices, but would it be so wrong to move on as swiftly as he has? A quick wedding to that cute wannabe cowboy with the adorable toddler might get her what she wants. After all, it’s clear Tate needs a helping hand. 

 He’s a Christian, just like she is. What could possibly go wrong? 

 GIVEAWAY! 

Valerie is giving away 2 e-book copies of A Surprise Wedding for the Cowboy, anywhere in the world!

To enter, share a comment about your favorite contemporary western romance tropes and flavors!  

Valerie Comer is known for writing engaging characters, strong communities, and deep faith into her green clean romances. She only hopes her creations enjoy their happily-ever-afters as much as she does hers, sharing farm life in western Canada with her husband, adult children, and adorable grandkids. Valerie is a USA Today bestselling author and a two-time Word Award winner.

Please find her at https://valeriecomer.com.