guest author

Welcome Guest Author Misty M. Beller and a Give Away!

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

My latest book, Guarding the Mountain Man’s Secret, released this week! In it, our heroine and her uncle are working with a group of surveyors to map out potential routes for the coming railroad.

One of the things I love about writing historical romance is the detail I get to research for each book. So much of my research doesn’t make it into the story, but I still love to learn it!

Surveying back then was no walk in the park. These brave folks had to trek through some seriously rough terrain, lugging around heavy equipment like compasses, levels, and surveyor’s chains (called Gunter’s chain). The chains were a whopping 66 feet long, with 100 links! Surveyors would stretch them out to measure distances, and let me tell you, it was no easy feat.

Gunter’s Chain & Surveyor’s Compass. Courtesy of the New Hampshire Historical Society

One of the surveyor’s secret weapons was triangulation. By measuring angles between distant points and doing some fancy math, they could figure out exactly where landmarks were and create a grid of reference points across the land. This technique was a game-changer, allowing for more accurate maps that covered bigger areas.

In my story, the surveying was done for the railroad. But history tells us that later in 1879, the U.S. Geological Survey stepped onto the scene with a larger mission: to create detailed maps of the entire country, including the wild, wild West. Surveyors working for this agency had their work cut out for them. They battled through dense forests, climbed steep mountains, and crossed dangerous rivers, all to gather the data needed for these maps.

So the next time you look at a map of the American West, give a nod to those early surveyors. These hardworking folks played a huge role in shaping the frontier, giving settlers the information they needed to build new lives and communities. Without their dedication and skill, the West might have remained a mystery forever!

To celebrate, I’m excited to give away a signed copy of the previous book in this series, Pretending to be the Mountain Man’s Wife! To be entered for the giveaway, I’d love to hear some of the interesting jobs you’ve seen women perform in historical fiction novels. Leave a comment below to share. 

I pray you enjoy Miles and Clara’s story in Guarding the Mountain Man’s Secret!

In the wild mountains of the Montana Territory, the Coulter ranch is a place of family, second
chances…and a hidden fortune.
Miles is the youngest of six brothers, and he’s spent most of his life helping guard the family’s
secret: a sapphire mine hidden deep within the Montana mountains. With threats from a past
enemy looming, a survey team’s arrival stirs suspicion—until he meets Clara Pendleton, whose
presence captivates him.

Clara Pendleton joins her uncle on a survey team tasked with mapping the coming railroad's
path, only to find herself entangled with the enigmatic Coulter family. When her uncle’s accident
leads them to find refuge in the Coulter home, Clara is irresistibly drawn to Miles Coulter and his quiet strength. This feels like the haven she craves…until a series of mysterious attacks endanger
everyone on the ranch.

As Christmas approaches, a sleigh ride through a snowy wonderland fans the growing spark
between Clara and Miles into a flame, but a broken runner leads Clara to discover the family's
secret. Now she’s faced with an impossible choice: betray the man she’s coming to love or risk
the lives of his entire family—and her own uncle.

From a USA Today bestselling author comes a mountain saga filled with high-stakes adventure,
forced proximity, a Christmas surprise, and love that heals wounded hearts.

Amazon   Barnes and Noble     Google Play   Books 2 Read

Misty M. Beller is a USA Today bestselling author with over 1 million books old. She writes romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love. Raised on a farm and surrounded by family, Misty developed her love for horses, history, and adventure. These days, her husband and children provide fresh adventure every day, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

Misty’s passion is to create inspiring Christian fiction infused with the grandeur of the mountains, writing historical romance that displays God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters. Sharing her stories with readers is a dream come true for Misty. She writes from her country
home in South Carolina and escapes to the mountains any chance she gets.

Author Page   Amazon   Facebook   Instagram   BookBub   Good Reads

 

Welcome Guest Author Jolene Navarro

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When fiction reflects real life.

Hola from the back porch of my aunt’s Texas Hill Country ranch. My husband, cousin and I are listening to my nephew singing.

As a seventh-generation Texan from a long line of ranchers and farmers, it’s logical for my stories to explore the lives of those people I know. Using the setting that shaped me came naturally. Horses, dogs, cats, and various other animals are a part of my stories because they are a part of my life. The best thing about creating stories is I get to make sure everyone who deserves it gets a happy ending.

Life is too short and, at times, tragic for sad stories. So, I write about struggles that lead to happy endings.

The path to becoming a published writer is rarely straightforward, but for any neurodivergent individual, it can be fraught with unique challenges.

The Texan’s Journey Home is ironically closest to my own journey.

The Texan’s Journey Home is my 20th book. For the first time, I used my personal experience of going through school with an undiagnosed learning disability to create my hero’s scar. Reno Espinosa has gone through life not knowing he was dyslexic. He dreams of being a firefighter but can’t pass the written exam.

Personally, I didn’t get dysgraphia diagnoses until I was studying education in college.

Dyslexia and dysgraphia are learning disorders (LD) that affect reading, writing and oral language-based processing skills. It is not a simple matter of “backward” letters. Think about b, d, p, q – what if the line and circle shifted on you – how can you tell them apart?

It significantly impacts a person’s educational and personal development. When a learning disability remains undiagnosed, the challenges it presents can be misinterpreted as laziness, lack of intelligence, or behavioral issues.

My hero learned to cover it up by smiling and making a joke out of everything.

People with undiagnosed a LD, often internalize the struggle and blame themselves and are afraid of asking for help. The difficulties with reading, writing, and spelling can lead to feelings of inadequacy and frustration. The fear of judgment and the constant comparison to peers can further erode self-confidence.

I was an avid reader. Growing up, I probably spent more time in a book than with real people. So, I didn’t understand why I had a problem with spoken words, grammar and spelling. I would know all the answers on a test but would fail it because the answers were spelled wrong.

Making up stories was how my brain liked to spend time, but I didn’t have the confidence to try and write them.

I mean the message was clear. If I couldn’t spell, I couldn’t write. That was the falsehood I believed until I was almost forty.

People have asked me to speak about the journey of a published author with a learning disability, but it never occurred to use that experience for a character.

Until Reno. He needed a turning point to find his place and purpose in life.

The journey from undiagnosed to a purpose-driven life often involves a turning point—a moment of recognition, a diagnosis, or a newfound strategy that unlocks potential. This for me is where reality and fiction meet.

Turning points can take various forms:

  • Diagnosis: Receiving a diagnosis of dyslexia can be a life-changing event. It explains the struggles experienced and opens doors to support and accommodations. With a diagnosis, I understood the problem. It was freeing to understand it had nothing to do with my intelligence. For Reno, I brought in Lyrissa Martinez. The heroine is a trained special ed teacher who recognizes the signs and sees the strategies Reno has been using to cover his inability to read. She sees him, the real man he is hiding.
  • Self-Discovery: Some individuals may discover their own learning style and develop coping mechanisms that enable them to navigate the challenges of their LD. This is what I did in college as I earned my master’s degree in special ed. Again, I used Lyrissa to walk Reno through ways he can learn. Movement can be a big help for processing new information. In a traditional classroom this can cause problems.
  • Mentorship: A supportive mentor or teacher can play a crucial role in recognizing potential and providing guidance and encouragement. I meet a woman you might know. Jodi Thomas. She was amazing and inspirational. Every time I heard her speak; I grew in confidence. Lyrissa does this for Reno.

Of course, Lyrissa has lessons she needs to learn too. Reno’s charming smile and ability to live in the moment, helps her open-up and trust herself to live her fullest life. Truth be told Reno and Lyrissa might be my favorite couple from all my books.

Recognizing strengths, celebrating achievements, and seeking positive feedback is something all of us could use a little more of. And I think reading romance is just one way to do that for ourselves.

The Power of Perseverance

One of the strongest lessons I have taken from Jodi Thomas is the power of perseverance. No matter the obstacle, it is perseverance that gets us through the hard times and into success.

The journey from an undiagnosed learning disability to being a published author or a first responder is a story of resilience, determination, and the unwavering belief in your faith. This is why I write what I write.

Despite the challenges, neurodivergent individuals can and do achieve remarkable success in the literary world and beyond. Their unique perspectives and experiences can enrich their lives and inspire others to overcome their own obstacles.

Here I am, signing copies of The Texan’s Journey Home at The Boerne Bookshop.

Reno and Lyrissa’s story can be found in The Texan’s Journey Home and is available now in Walmart and anywhere books are sold.

The link is the direct link to Harlequin.

A surprise homecoming…

Could give him a second chance.

Working as a ranch hand isn’t Reno Espinoza’s dream job, but it lets him keep his lifelong secret hidden. Until an accident on the ranch leads him to unintentionally reveal his learning disability to his childhood crush, Lyrissa Martinez. Teaching Reno to read is no trouble for the special ed teacher, but his carefree attitude reminds her of a past she’s trying to move on from. As the two spend more time together, can they help each other heal old wounds for a chance at forever?

From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

I haven’t seen many books with a lead character with a learning disability. Have you. Do you have a certain type of hero you love reading? I’d love recommendations to any book you have recently enjoyed.

I’m delighted to give away one print copy The Texan’s Journy Home to a U. S. resident. Please leave a comment below.

Jolene, a seventh-generation Texan, knows, as much as the world changes, people stay the same. Good and evil. Vow-keepers and heart breakers. Jolene married a vow-keeper who showed her that dancing in the rain never gets old.
Her stories are full of family, faith, and grit. Spoiler, they all end with a happy-ever-after. She loves spending time with her four kids, and can be found at jolenenavarro.com and fb @ jolenenavarroauthor

Guest Jodie Wolfe and a Give Away!

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The Impact of Journals

Did you ever keep a journal or diary as a kid? Maybe you still keep one as an adult. Perhaps as a child you recorded events like a grade you received on a test, interactions with siblings, or the weather. Perhaps you wrote about a secret crush you had on someone.

As a writer, I love coming across actual journals of people who lived in the area I plan to write about, especially if it happens to be during the era I’ll be dropping my book into. When I first planned on writing stories about mail-order brides, I enjoyed reading through Hearts West: True Stories Of Mail-Order Brides On The Frontier by Chris Enss. Whenever you can get actual accounts to draw from, it helps a writer to create a deeper, and hopefully more accurate book.

When I set about starting a new series set in my neck of the woods, my first time departing from books set in the west, I spent a lot of time researching. I asked questions in FB groups to find out as much as possible about the local history. In the process, I came across a woman who used to work at the historical society where my new series takes place. Through conversations and questions, we developed a friendship founded on the love of history. As we came to know each other more, she helped to discover obscure information about the names of local businesses, names of people living in the area, and who owned properties nearby. I would have relied on searching through newspapers from the town, but unfortunately a fire destroyed the records for the years in which I was searching.

I had planned on setting the first book in the early 1870s. Even though I live in an area steeped in Civil War history, I never desired to write a book set during that time until…. My local historian shared two journals written in 1864 by two local farmers. Each one chronicled daily what the weather was, what was happening around town, as well as their activities. Each of these two farmers only wrote a short paragraph each day, but these journals are full of history with names, businesses, etc. They shared about Rebel sightings, how much they were paid to provide meals/housing when Rebel soldiers passed through the area, as well as what they saw when a local town was burned. Here’s a sample of the entries:

January, Saturday 16

Beautiful day I paid my Breakfast 25 cts and then walked about through

Harrisburg till 8 Oclock. Took the car and came to Mechanicsburg and stayed there with

cousin Kate Seabrooks for the next train. I then came to Shippensburg my fair was $1.35

cts. John and cousin [first name] Diehl was in town and I came with them.

I used some of these journal entries in my new book, Abigail’s Pursuit. Here’s a little bit about it:

Abigail Stewart, with the Civil War raging, is on the verge of losing everything. The man who is responsible for her brother’s death comes to Shippensburg offering to help. How can she work with her enemy? What’s to stop him from betraying her?

Wounded during the war, Daniel Thompson must find a way to make amends and fulfill his friend’s dying request. Daniel’s homecoming proves anything but easy as he seeks to find forgiveness from his family when they can’t be found. The woman he tries to assist, doesn’t want anything to do with him.

Can two wounded hearts find their way back home?

JODIE WOLFE loves writing historical fiction after years as a homeschool mom. She enjoys spending time with her husband in Pennsylvania, reading, knitting, and walking. Jodie creates novels where hope and quirky meet. Visit her at http://www.jodiewolfe.com.

So how about you, when’s the last time you kept a journal? You never know, one day it might be of interest to a writer. 🙂 

One lucky respondent will win a digital copy of  Abigail’s Retreat. 

Welcome Tina Radcliffe!

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Hello, Fillies!!

I haven’t been here in a couple dozen sunsets. Thanks for having me.

I’m a huge fan of vintage Western TV shows that include families. It’s so much fun to delve into family dynamics, wounds and the fun relationship between siblings and parents. The Western background adds even more to the enjoyment. Despite being fifty years old or more they tackle important societal topics along with exploring the meaning of family.

I eagerly binge The Big Valley, Bonanza, High Chaparral, The Rifleman, Maverick, Davy Crockett, and The Virginian. My latest series is all about Western family as well.

I’d like to introduce you to the Lazy M Ranch. Several of you have heard this tale. If so, use this minute to go fill up your coffee cups.

This series got its start when a friend (debut Love Inspired author Deborah Clack) sent me a card with a group of cowboys on the front. I wrote to the artist, Sherry Peters, who is the photographer behind Bradbury Lane https://sherrypphotography.com/. Sherry sent me a wall print of the cowboys. Thus, the Lazy M Ranch was born.

Meet brothers Drew, Sam, Trevor, and Luke, along with Grampa Gus Morgan who manage the Lazy M Ranch in Homestead Pass, Oklahoma. There’s another character in there who is introduced in my upcoming release, young Cole.

For you Okies here today, Homestead Pass is thirty minutes East of Elk City and two hours from Oklahoma City. I set my stories in Oklahoma as I had the pleasure of living there for seventeen years. And for those who go way back, I used to work at City of Faith Hospital in Tulsa.

I digress. This series chronicles the path these reluctant cowboys take to find love and the future the good Lord has planned for them.

My February release is Trevor’s story. It’s also my 19th book with Love Inspired. I’m very excited about The Cowboy’s Secret Past as it’s a twist on the secret baby trope. I can’t tell you the twist or I’d give away the fun.

Here’s the blurb. Didn’t they do a fabulous job on this cover?

He’s not the same man he was

But maybe now he’s ready to be a father

Since leaving his wild rodeo days behind, rancher Trevor Morgan has sobered up and built a faith-filled life. So he’s shocked when the woman caring for his grandfather intrudes on that solitude. Nurse Hope Burke has hidden motives for coming to the Lazy M Ranch—she believes Trevor is the father of her orphaned nephew. Can a loving aunt and a wary cowboy change a little boy’s life forever?

You can preorder your own copy from your favorite retailer

Amazon https://amz.run/7YCe

Harlequin https://bityl.co/NCme

Kobo https://bityl.co/NCmg

The Cowboy’s Secret Past is a standalone book. Here’s a quick peek inside.

“Mind if I join you?”

Hope blinked and nearly fell over at the sound of Trevor Morgan’s voice. Heart hammering as though she’d been caught doing something illegal, she scrambled to shove Cole’s birth certificate back into her purse.

“Sure,” she said on a shaky breath. Hope met his gaze and glanced away. He wasn’t wearing a Stetson today. His hair was the color of warm caramel, with thick unruly waves.

She could see why Anna was attracted to him. And it was a good thing that she was nothing like her stepsister. She had zero interest in rodeos or cowboys. And she definitely would never get involved with an emotionally unavailable man like this one. Trevor Morgan was a complication she could do without.

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

One reader will take home a print copy of The Cowboy’s Secret Past and a fun Book Lover tote.

One reader will take home the first three books in the series (print), The Baby Inheritance, The Cowboy Bargain and The Cowboy’s Secret Past.

To be entered, simply leave a comment letting me know about your favorite family Westerns. They can be vintage or modern television shows or movies.

Thanks for spending the day with me. Do sign up for my monthly newsletter to keep up with my releases.  https://www.tinaradcliffe.com/newsletters

Happy Trails!

A freelance writer for over twenty years, Tina Radcliffe is a Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers Honor Roll member, and a four-time ACFW Carol Award finalist. Her Harlequin novels have won the ACFW Carol Award, the Holt Medallion and appeared on the Publishers Weekly Bestseller list. Besides her novel-length fiction, and her independent publishing releases, Tina has sold over three dozen short stories to Woman’s World Magazine. A US Army Veteran, a former registered nurse, and library cataloger, Tina resides in Arizona, where she writes fun, heartwarming romance and cozy mysteries. Visit her on the web at https://www.tinaradcliffe.com/

Welcome Lacy Williams!

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When you have a lot of kids (I have four amazing ones), some days are filled with squabbles and “I’m hungrys!” and running them to and from sports or piano lessons.

Today was one of those days. And then I looked up and saw a rainbow in the sky. And all of that other junk faded away.

Oh, it was still there. Voices in the background arguing with each other. But they were a little muted and my well of patience had filled up.

Those little rainbows in our lives (and other special moments—like when all the kids join in for a random, impromptu sing-a-long while we clean up after dinner) are gifts. And I try hard not to miss them.

I also love giving those unexpected moments to my characters—especially a prickly heroine like Rachel Duncan from my upcoming release Wild Heart’s Haven. Rachel has been through a lot by the time she joins the wagon train and is understandably wary… but when hero Owen and his incorrigible niece start a music/sing-a-long after supper around the campfire one night… she can’t resist joining in. And when he carries her home after a terrible ordeal… ?????? Like I said: sometimes those small moments create wonderful memories.

What about you? What’s a small moment or rainbow that you’ve experienced lately? Leave a comment and you’ll be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card and a paperback copy of A Trail Untamed (most recent release where we meet Rachel for the first time).

Thanks for hanging out with me today!

-Lacy

ABOUT LACY’S NEW RELEASE:

Rachel never wanted to travel into the wilderness. The westward trail has stolen everything from her. Her home. Her family. Her husband. Now a match made out of necessity has trapped her in a marriage with a man she can’t stand.

Owen likes Rachel about as much as his horse likes a burr under its saddle. She’s bossy and stubborn with an independent streak a mile wide. And a baby on the way.

He can’t help feeling responsible for the prickly mother-to-be. A marriage of convenience is the right thing to do. But that doesn’t mean he has to like it. He just has to survive it until they reach Oregon.

Wild Heart’s Haven releases February 15!

BUY LINK: http://tinyurl.com/2y6jj7rn

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.

***

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.

Welcome Laura Ashwood and a Give Away!

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Hi Everyone! My name is Laura Ashwood and I’m writing to you from the chilly state of Minnesota. Having grown up in North Dakota/Minnesota I am no stranger to the occasional winter blizzard, but I’ve thankfully never been through anything like the Schoolhouse Blizzard of 1888.

In January, 1888, a massive cold air mass with a spread of over 780 miles, moved into the United States from Canada. The temperature on the front end of the cold front in some places dropped from above freezing to -20°F in just hours. The storm was extremely fast moving. It entered Montana in the early morning hours of January 12, swept through Dakota Territory and was in Nebraska by mid-afternoon of that same day. Because of the warm spell preceding the storm and the swiftness with which it moved, most people were ill prepared. In just minutes, the strong winds and powdery snow made for zero visibility. The combination of bitter cold temperatures and high winds resulted in a death toll of 235. 

Another massive blizzard struck Easter Sunday, April 13, 1873, which began as a pleasant day in southeast Nebraska. That afternoon, rain moved in and temperatures began to drop. During the night, the wind picked up and by morning eighteen inches of heavy, wet snow had fallen. The storm raged for two more days, finally abating on Wednesday, April 17. Drifts as high as 20 feet had accumulated in some areas. Many people perished, including a woman with an infant that died just feet from her home, along with thousands of head of livestock.

So, why am I telling you about blizzards that happened over one hundred years ago? It’s because I’m part of a multi-author series called The Blizzard Brides. This series is loosely based on both of those blizzards. What happens when nearly all the men in town get killed during a blizzard? What are the women to do? This group of talented authors takes that question to task, each story following the journey of one of the women as she begins to rebuild her life.

This is my second historical romance. One of the things I strive for when I write historical is to make sure that I get as much accurate detail for the time period as I can. In my story, A Groom for Ruby, Cullen Parker has a dark past before he ends up in Last Chance. I got to research such things as train robberies, stagecoach robberies, gold mines, and place like Dodge City and San Francisco. Much of that research doesn’t make it into the book, but I love being able to work in some of that information.

In this book, Cullen is making his way back to Dakota Territory, hoping to get a job at the Homestake Mine in Lead. The Homestake Mine was a real working gold mine during that time period. It was actually the largest, deepest mine of its type in the United States. It was operational until 2001, and two of my uncles worked there in 1950’s and 1960s. So, not only did I get to add a bit of reality to my fiction – I was able to make it personal.

Do you like it when authors do little things like that? Do you want to know about it?

I’d love to give away a copy of A Groom for Ruby, as well as a copy of my first historical, An Agent for Clarissa, which is part of the Pinkerton Matchmaker series.

Please stop by my website, and if you sign up for my newsletter, you’ll get a free copy of Snowflakes & Second Chances, a contemporary novelette. I’d love to connect with you on Facebook or Instagram, and you can find inspiration boards for all my books on my Pinterest.

 

Buy A Groom for Ruby on AMAZON

Timeless Elements of Western Romance by Guest Janine Rosche

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Rugged, Dangerous, and Wild: The Timeless Elements of Western Romance

Something strange and majestic happens when you chase the sun across the Mississippi River. Your heart fills with promise and wonder. Your mind races with dreams of what could be. Your skin tingles with the fear and excitement of the unknown. Your very soul connects with those long since passed who risked all they had to experience a new world.

It’s easy to see why the most thrilling, adventurous, and romantic stories take root in the American West. Unlike other fiction genres, Western Romance doesn’t differentiate between historical and contemporary. All the stories share an understanding that no matter how hard we try, the land won’t be tamed, and neither will the human spirit.

Here are five timeless elements of Western Romance:

Danger

Who doesn’t love a story where the hero or heroine must face terrible odds to achieve their heart’s desire? The West has its fair share of natural danger to keep the characters on their toes: earthquakes, drought, dust storms, flash floods, wildfires, landslides, tornadoes, avalanches, etc. Seriously, in Yellowstone National Park, boiling water shoots out of the ground. At the summit of Pike’s Peak, there is a rocky area called The Devil’s Playground because lightning bounces from rock to rock. And if that doesn’t raise the stakes enough, there are human foes driven by desperation or greed to get what they want and need. See that man with the sharp-looking Stetson and shiny revolver? He’s probably an outlaw, train robber, greedy oil tycoon, or shady real estate developer.

Wilderness

Do you know why so many characters in western novels are hot-tempered? Because they realize that any time they walk outside, they could be bitten by a snake or killed by a grizzly. They could be wearing a prairie dress or yoga pants, and it doesn’t matter. The threat is still there. In addition to scary animals, there’s the chance one might get lost in a forest, break down in a desert, or fall off a mountain.

Ruggedness

Authors know that if you want to push a character out of their comfort zone, drop them into a western setting. Unless you are in one of the big cities, the West still has a rustic quality to it. Cell phone coverage is spotty. Wi-Fi is rare, and you can drive a hundred miles and never see a road sign except for Wall Drug. Even historical characters must learn to accept fewer “modern” conveniences than those on the East Coast. Sweet Bostonian schoolteacher, were you used to electric lighting and a warm bath? Here’s a lantern, pail, and a map to the creek.

New Beginnings

The first character of mine that I fell in love with was a desperate pastor who flees to Montana for a fresh start. Be it 1821 or 2021, there’s a certain romanticism in leaving one troubled world behind and beginning all over again with new dreams, new foes, and maybe a new love. Who doesn’t love a good fish-out-of-water story?

Independence

Show me a western novel, and I’ll show you a feisty, hard-headed, and determined hero or heroine willing to work to the bone to get what they’re after. Rules, traditions, and societal expectations didn’t often fit in the wagon on the Oregon Trail or the saddle pack en route to Texas. To survive the Old West, characters need grit, fortitude, and self-reliance. Generations later, their modern-day equivalents need confidence, drive, and even a touch of swagger to make their dream of a happy ending come true.

YOUR TURN: What do you love most about Western Romance? Would you say it’s timeless?

If you’d like to know more about my contemporary rustic romance novels, including my Madison River Romance series, please visit my website at http://www.JanineRosche.com or connect with me on Facebook. 

Giveaway:

A Society6 Mountain Landscape Tote Bag

The Madison River Romance series:

        This Wandering Heart

        Wildflower Road

        Glory Falls

 

 

 

Glory Falls: Released January 12th

Buy it on Amazon 

Prone to wander, Janine Rosche finds as much comfort on the open road as she does at home. This longing to chase adventure, behold splendor, and experience redemption is woven into her Madison River Romance series. When she isn’t writing or traveling, she teaches family life education courses to college students, takes too many pictures of her sleeping dogs, and embarrasses her four children and husband with boy band serenades.

Those Hunky Colorado Cowboys! (And a Giveaway!) with Jody Hedlund

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Most readers know me for my historical romances about lighthouses, orphan trains, and bride ships. But a western? Whoa! What’s that all about?

No, I’m not switching genres. My friends here on Petticoat and Pistols have the western genre well covered! But I am delving into a five-book family saga set in the high country of Colorado in the ranching area of South Park.

The Colorado Cowboys Series has all my usual trademarks—deeply emotional characters, fun plot twists, and sizzling romance. But this time the package includes hunky cowboys!

Most of the time when we think about cowboys in Colorado, we think of the ranches on the eastern plains, not the mountainous high country. But believe it or not, ranches started popping up in the mountains very early in Colorado’s history.

One of the first ranches in South Park (near Fairplay), was Hartsel Springs Ranch, founded as a homestead in 1862 by Samuel Hartsel. He started his ranch by buying oxen brought into the mountains by men arriving to mine for gold. The oxen were often worn out and worth little after making the long trek to the West. But Samuel fattened them and then turned around and sold them as beef to the mining community.

By 1864 Hartsel decided to branch out and diversify his livestock. He went to Missouri and purchased a herd of shorthorns that he then drove to Colorado along the Santa Fe Trail. It was a tough trip, but he eventually completed the cattle drive and made it back to his ranch with 150 head of short-horned cattle. 

Figure 1 Picture in South Park that I took of a cattle ranch during my research trip

Hartsel went on to become a very successful rancher, capitalizing on the rich grassland in South Park that fed his cattle. He also took advantage of a natural hot spring near his land that he developed and used for tourists who wanted a chance to bathe in the “healing waters.”

A Cowboy for Keeps, the first book in the series, is inspired by this real life cowboy and ranch. The hero, Wyatt McQuaid, is attempting to make a go of homesteading and ranching. But with all the obstacles he faces, he’s having a hard time making a new home. When Fairplay’s mayor offers him a deal, one that involves taking a bride in exchange for cattle, Wyatt can’t resist.

If you like hunky cowboys, mail-order brides, and marriages of convenience, then I invite you to give A Cowboy for Keeps a chance!

Leave a comment on this post if you’d like the chance to win a signed copy of the book! (Sorry, U.S. mailing addresses only.) I will choose a random winner on January 16.

What’s your favorite thing about cowboy stories?

Jody Hedlund is the best-selling author of over thirty historicals for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Award. She lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy teens, and five spoiled cats. Visit her at jodyhedlund.com

In From the Storm with Janice Cole Hopkins

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The Scots who came to settle the mountain regions of the United States were a hardy lot, especially those who hailed from the Scottish Highlands. They felt at home settling in these areas few other immigrants wanted – areas like the Appalachians or the Rocky Mountains. A large amount of my heritage can be found among this group. Eighty-three percent of my ancestry come from the British Isles with a mixture of Scot, English, and Irish.

This is what happens in Mountain Storms, the first book in my In from the Storms Trilogy. Ian MacGregor was wounded in the Civil War and left Maryland to hide away in a mountain cabin in Wyoming Territory. He had been rejected because of his war wounds and wanted to move from society. Aileas Campbell stumbles on the cabin in a snowstorm after she runs away from unwanted attention. Neither suspect the adventure they’re about to begin or the changes God has in store for them.

The family saga continues in Past Storms. Jeannie MacGregor, at seventeen, feels imprisoned in the secluded mountain cabin with her taciturn brother, so she runs away and goes back to her aunt in Maryland, hoping to have a social life and find a suitor. But nothing turns out as she expected, and within a few years, she finds herself on a train back to Wyoming with her young daughter in tow. The unexpected interest of three men there surprises her, but only one man makes her heart beat faster. However, he’s the new pastor, and what would a man of God want with someone like her. He could hardly find a more unsuitable wife.

In Dust Storms, Brady Sharpe, Aileas’s stepbrother, wanders his way to Texas after Aileas refuses to leave with him. He tries ranching and becomes a foreman but never feels he truly belongs. After catching some cattle rustlers, he decides to leave but discovers a young woman in desperate need of help. He does his best but ends up deciding to take her back to Wyoming and get Aileas to help her. In their journey, they battle many storms, including a major dust storm and storms of the heart.

I loved writing this trilogy. Originally, I hadn’t planned to write Dust Storms, but when I finished Past Storms, Brady said I needed to tell his story, so I did. This has happened before in my character-driven novels. Readers seem to like this series, too, because these books have been my best-sellers for months.

I would like to offer one of you the chance to win a free copy of Mountain Storms. In addition, as long as they last, I would also like to give free codes for audible editions of one of the 3 books to any who have an Audible account (which is free but required to redeem the code). You can email me at janicecolehopkins@gmail.com, and I will send you the code for the book you request. Have a blessed day, ask me any questions you’d like, and I hope to hear from you soon.