#historicalwesternromance

Giving a Series a Makeover

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From time to time, it is necessary to give book covers a fresh look.

I recently concluded my Pendleton Petticoats series (all 11 books) needed a makeover.

It wasn’t something I particularly wanted to do.

And it wasn’t the first time I’d given the books a new “face.”

I thought you might like to see the evolution of the first book, Aundy.

Back when I first published the book in 2013, I was working with zero budget for buying nice book covers. So I made my own despite my lack of experience with them.

The woman who appears to be running off the cover was me, wearing an outfit my mom had made for me years ago. I photoshopped in the background and the lamb.

That finished the book. And I wrote a few others in the series.

Then I decided Aundy and the other books REALLY needed an upgrade.

By then, I could afford to spend a little on book covers and used images I found on a stock photo website I subscribed to.

I’m not sure if this cover is better or worse!

 

The next cover was much, much better (my skills had improved and I had access to better images).

Yet, it was still time for an update.

I am so, so pleased with the way Aundy turned out. And I love that Garrett is now on the cover as well!

If you are unfamiliar with the series, Aundy is the first book.

A widowed mail-order bride.

A stubborn rancher.

An unexpected second chance.

Aundy Thorsen crossed the country to become a mail-order bride … only to find herself a widow days later. With nowhere to turn and no intention of going back to Chicago, Aundy sets out to build a life for herself in Eastern Oregon. But forging a future on a rustic homestead is harder than she imagined, especially when it means wrangling unruly chickens, tending sheep, and proving she can manage on her own. The last thing she wants is help from her infuriatingly handsome neighbor.

Garrett Nash has spent his life working the family ranch and understands just how unforgiving the frontier can be. When tragedy leaves Aundy alone, the steady, protective cowboy offers his help out of obligation. Admiration for the brave, determined woman soon turns into something far deeper and richer.

However, Aundy has already risked her heart once and paid the price. She refuses to make that mistake again. But Garrett isn’t offering to rescue her. He’s proposing a true partnership.

In this sweet and wholesome historical western romance, a slow-burn love story unfolds between a strong heroine and the rugged rancher next door. Filled with warmth, gentle humor, and hard-won hope, Aundy is a moving story of second chances, found family, and a love powerful enough to take root in the wild, untamed West.

Welcome to Pendleton, Oregon, where courageous women, steadfast cowboys, and a close-knit community build lives filled with hope, humor, and lasting love. Each story in the Pendleton Petticoats series delivers a heartfelt romance, rich western charm, and a deeply satisfying happily-ever-after.

Start the journey today—and discover the story that began it all.

And here is what all the covers (in order) look like.

Which book cover (or book) in the series is your favorite?

Post your answer for a chance to win a digital copy of Aundy and a $5 Amazon Gift Card!

 

 

The Convict’s Courtship–Kylee Woodley–and a giveaway

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Smuggled in a Miner’s Pocket: The Cornish Roots of the Tommy Knocker

“What a tall tale… Tommy Knockers are Cornish, not French.”

“Maybe the Cornish miners smuggled them in.”

— From The Convict’s Courtship by KyLee Woodley

With St. Patrick’s Day just behind us and this “outlaw-ish” clean romance now available, it seems appropriate to share a bit about the Leprechaun’s cousin: the Tommy Knocker. These creatures are a fascinating part of the history and setting of my latest book.

The Migration of the “Cousin Jacks”


(Underground in the Gould and Curry Mine 1867. Timothy O’Sullivan photo)

In the 19th century, highly skilled hard-rock miners emigrated from Cornwall, England, to mining towns across the globe. Many settled in the American West, including the famous Comstock Lode in Nevada—the very setting of The Convict’s Courtship—where work was plentiful for those who knew the earth.

These men were known as “Cousin Jacks,” a term coined because they always seemed to have a cousin back home in need of work. The migration of these Europeans was so vast that between the 1860s and 1870s, the Cornish population in Nevada went from nearly none to over 1,000 in the 1870 census.

But they brought more than just their expertise in drilling; they brought their superstitions. Tucked away in their pockets (metaphorically, of course) were stories of mystical little creatures, much like an elf or a gnome, that haunted the deep places of the world. In the West, these spirits became known as Tommy Knockers.

The Ritual of the Pasty


(The Cornish Pasty, Cornwall Vintage History & Recipe Postcard C56 | eBay UK)

Life underground was dangerous, and the Tommy Knockers were said to be the ones in control of a miner’s fate. To keep these “little minions” happy, miners practiced specific rituals, like leaving behind a portion of their lunch—usually a piece of a Cornish Pasty.

These meat pies were folded in half with the edges pinched together into a thick crust. This “miner’s handle” allowed them to eat with dirty hands and discard the soiled crust afterward. While Cornish immigrants were almost entirely men—unlike many other groups who arrived in family units—this ritual connected the lonely miner to his homeland and his ancestors.

Protectors or Pests?

What exactly were these creatures? While some modern theorists believe the “knocking” sounds were simply the results of rock crumbling or timbers cracking under the weight of a pending cave-in, the miners saw it differently.

According to the Exeter Institute of Cornish Studies, “initial phases of belief [show] knockers led worthy miners to valuable ore, warned of danger, and punished those who angered them.” Many believed they provided a life-saving service by knocking on the tunnel walls just before a collapse. Because of this, some viewed them as good luck, while others feared their power to cause the very cave-ins they warned against.

The Folklore Connection


(In the evening, the seven Dwarfs came back.

These illustrations came from: Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm. The Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm. Mrs. Edgar Lucas, translator. Arthur Rackham, illustrator. London: Constable & Company Ltd, 1909.)

There is even a link to the classic fairy tales we know today. While the Grimm tales are German and Tommy Knockers are Cornish, they share the same “Old World” root: the belief that the earth is alive and inhabited by subterranean spirits. In the 19th century, miners from across Europe (German, Welsh, and Cornish) shared stories in the bunkhouses, likely blending the “Knocker” with the German “Kobold” or “Dwarf.”

A Legacy in the Dark

Whether they were seen as dwarves—perhaps even distant relatives to the legendary Seven Dwarfs—or restless spirits lurking in the shadows, the Tommy Knocker became a staple of the immigrant West. For the man working a mile underground, the Tommy Knocker wasn’t just a story; it was a companion in the dark, a reminder of the roots he left behind, and a way to make sense of the dangers of the deep.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE FAIRY TALE GROWING UP?

LEAVE A COMMENT TO GET YOUR NAME IN A DRAWING FOR A COPY OF 

THE CONVICTS COURTSHIP

Outlaw Hearts book 3

Amazon | B&N | Apple | Kobo

A remote mining town, an aspiring journalist, and the reformed convict who saves her life.

When Clara Alexander returned from finishing school to Virginia City she had two goals: to become a reporter and make peace with the father who betrayed her mother. But even in the West, there is no room for her in the newsroom or in the family her father made when he married his mistress. Clara is forced to take desperate measures to prove her worth to an editor—including a reckless venture into a dangerous mine shaft.

Reformed convict Beau Vulpe lives a quiet life of obscurity in a remote mining town in Nevada. When he rescues a beautiful woman from a sweltering mine shaft, he’s welcomed into her home as a hero, only to discover that they are the same family he deeply wronged the summer before. Now, with winter’s grip choking the mountain town and rumors of mines going bust, he is forced to stay, praying Clara won’t discover the truth before the spring thaw.

As Clara pursues her dreams of writing for the renowned Territorial Enterprise, she continually crosses paths with the mysterious Frenchman who saved her life and is drawn to him a little more with each interaction. Beau finds himself not only falling for the lovely lady but befriending her family as well. Can he protect his freedom and atone for his wrongs without losing his heart in the process? And what about Clara—will her attraction toward Beau Vulpe lead to the disappointment her mother warned her about?

Author Bio: KyLee Woodley is a cheery romantic who loves to write about bygone days and heartwarming romance with a pinch of adventure. She teaches preschool at a lab school in Texas, where she lives with her husband of eighteen years and their three teenage children. On weekends, KyLee cohosts and produces the Historical Bookworm Show, a steadily growing author interview podcast for history lovers and readers of historical fiction.

In her spare time, she cares for a rescue dog named Lucky, a feisty feline named Hazel, and two adorable Boston Terrier puppies. She listens to contemporary Christian, country, and early?2000s rock, visits bookstores and coffee shops with her teens, and watches adventure movies with her husband, who might resemble Superman.

Author Links:

 https://www.facebook.com/WoodleyWrites 

https://twitter.com/KyLeeWoodley  

https://www.instagram.com/kylee.woodley.writes/ 

https://www.pinterest.com/kypins13/  

Podcast: https://historicalbookworm.com/?page_id=41  

Personal Website:  https://kyleewoodley.com/ 

The Rose of Sharon by Kara O’Neal–and a giveaway

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Howdy, fellow western romance readers! It’s great to be back!

I’m excited to share the sixth book in my Wildflowers of Texas series – THE ROSE OF SHARON – with y’all.

This romance features Miss Libby Mae Truman, who first appeared in PRICKLY POPPY. Libby became quite the person for me. She’s formidable and had suffered a broken heart, so I just had to give her a happy ending.

We also meet the man who adores her in PRICKLY POPPY. Except…he’s already married.

Brannon Welch has had a painful life, but he’s managed it with as much care as he possibly could. He’s secretly in love with Libby, and when his wife deserts him, he decides to go after what he wants.

This is my first “later in life” romance, and I must say that I truly enjoyed writing these two characters. They are both people I admire, and I think you will, as well!

This series has been interesting, because each heroine connects with a wildflower in some way. When I first “met” Libby, her flower came instantly to my mind.

The Rose of Sharon is strikingly beautiful, and it can withstand the harshest elements of West Texas. This describes Libby perfectly. She’s a leader, manages all sorts of problems and people, and doesn’t cower in a corner when faced with something difficult. She’s a “general of the west” for sure!

 

THE ROSE OF SHARON represents Libby’s resilience. If you had to pick a flower that describes your personality, which one would it be and why? One lucky commentor will win a free copy (print or ebook)!

Blurb

Brownwood, Texas, 1883

Libby Truman was once a fool for love, and she vowed never again to be so ridiculous. Time has passed, and she’s now forty-two, a pillar of society, and in complete control of her life. But when someone begins leaving the striking blossoms of the Rose of Sharon for her, her heart begins to yearn.

Brannon Welch, forty-five, successful businessman, respected member of the town, is in love. But not with his wife. With Libby. He’s tired of hiding his feelings. And now that his wife has deserted him, he’s found the courage to give romance another try.

But vengeance comes for Libby, and Brannon must do whatever it takes to save her. Even if it means his own life.

Excerpt

He loved her.

He had to stop lying to himself, stop pretending.

He loved her.

Libby Truman.

Libby Mae Truman.

At the thought of her name, his heart swelled to almost bursting.

He allowed her angelic form to materialize in his mind’s eye, and his pulse began to race.

Letting out a slow breath, he rose from the chair behind his desk. He drifted closer to the second-story windows of his office and looked out at the sunset.

The red was blending into orange. West Texas had its beauty, and it never failed to amaze him. The rawness of the land, the untamed nature, had appealed to his soul, and despite what his wife had wanted, he’d settled here to build his legacy.

And that’s when it had all gone bad.

Penelope hadn’t wanted to live in Brownwood. She’d wanted Austin. Or Houston.

He’d put his foot down.

That had been his mistake, but he’d tried to make up for it. He’d worked his fingers to the bone, had created three companies, had amassed enough wealth to give her whatever she wanted.

Whatever she wanted, though, was never enough.

He hadn’t known that the strawberry-blonde curls, the sparkling hazel eyes, the sweet smile had hidden a selfish, manipulative viper.

After ten years of trying, he’d given up. He’d fallen out of love, which made having a marriage impossible. Not that Penelope had cared or noticed. She’d thrown all her efforts, time, love, and care into their son, Anson.

Who was now in prison. For murder.

As it always did, the memory of his child being arrested, tried, sentenced, and taken away made his heart crack. It was a wonder the organ still worked.

He thought about his life, catalogued his mistakes and regrets. Hanging his head, he slipped his hands into his pockets, pushing his gray suitcoat back.

There was only one bright spot in his world.

Libby Truman.

Blonde-headed, blue-eyed, petite.

Generous. Hard-working. Highly intelligent.

Fiercely independent.

They’d operated side-by-side over the years, both helping with various social functions. He’d sat on the Town Council multiple times, and she’d been the leader of many events that had needed the council’s approval. They also attended the same church, where she was very active, and had consistently inspired him to be the best he could be.

She was the epitome of womanhood.

And yet, she’d never married. He didn’t even know if she’d ever been courted.

The man who might turn her head would be the best of men.

And he was not.

Yes, he was a good businessman, and he had reasons to believe he was a good boss and a good Christian. But he’d failed as a husband and father, the two most important roles.

He lifted his head and gazed once again at the setting sun.

And thought of her.

Libby.

He loved her.

Brannon Welch loved Libby Truman.

He would hold the truth inside, though. He would never act on his feelings.

He had a wife. She’d deserted him, had moved back to Dallas, but he had one.

And Libby had principles. She never went back on them.

He smiled softly.

My God, how I love her.

Book Purchase Link:  https://books2read.com/u/3L1Q8D

Kara O’Neal is an award-winning author of over thirty historical romances. Humor, family, love, and romance take center stage in her novels, and her characters have been touted as “real, complex, and down-to-earth”. Her books are available in print and ebook.

When not writing, she’s a teacher, but she’s always a mother to three talented children, and the wife of a man quite worthy of being called “hero”.

Telling stories is her passion, and she does so with memorable characters and unique plots certain to keep you reading late into the night! Visit Kara O’Neal at http://www.karaoneal.com.

Where to Find Kara

Website ~ Instagram ~ Facebook ~ X ~ Pinterest ~ Newsletter ~ Goodreads ~ Bookbub ~ Amazon

 

Gypsies in Western Novels by Janice Cole Hopkins

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I have traveled quite a bit, and I’ve noticed small bands of gypsies in many of the European countries. This sparked a special interest in their lifestyle, and it’s always been in the back of my mind to write a novel including them. My chance came when I became a part of the multiple-author collection, The Matchmaker & the Mother-In-Law. However, it wasn’t until I chose my book cover from the ones offered that I locked onto the idea. By the time I saw them to select mine, the only one I liked was a Spanish-looking woman. I remembered the gypsies I saw on my trips to Spain, and Carmen’s Wedding Dilemma was born.

 

The gypsies in Spain are called Cale (Kah.lay’). There, as in most places, gypsies have historically experienced prejudice and discrimination. They might be barred from entering certain establishments, and it was hard for them to find gainful employment if people learned of their backgrounds. All sorts of rumors followed them, saying they were thieves, kidnappers, dishonest, and disreputable as Carmen’s mother tries to explain to her when they first move to Utah:

 

“No, no, no,” Mother rushed into the room shaking her head. “Do not tell her about the gypsies. She doesn’t need to know about them. We all need to forget about that part of our lives.”

“Why, Mamá?” Carmen knew her parents didn’t want to talk about that time in their lives, and they didn’t want Carmen to know about any of it, but she’d never really understood.

“Other people don’t understand the gypsies,” her mother tried to explain again. “They accuse us of all types of criminal activities. A few of them are true for a few gypsies, but certainly not most of them. However, if others know you come from gypsy stock, they won’t like you or have anything to do with you. For your future, for all our futures, we must keep it a secret. Do you understand?”

Carmen nodded her head, and she did understand the words. She just didn’t understand why anyone would hate her because her grandparents and parents had been gypsies at one time. To her, the gypsies were fascinating, and she wanted to know all about them.

 

In the book, although Carmen was born in America, her parents and grandparents had been gypsies in Spain. Carmen’s father was falsely accused of a crime, so he and his family leave their gypsy camp in the middle of the night and sail to America. Carmen was born several months later.

 

Once in the new country, they decide it would be better to hide their gypsy heritage. After the Civil War begins, they move to Utah, her father starts a horse ranch, and he brings horses from Spain. When Carmen becomes a young woman, her parents decide that Mateo should be her matchmaker. After all, who has her best interest at heart more than a girl’s father.

 

Historically, Spain is known for their fine horses. The Andalusian, a famous Spanish breed known for its beauty and versatility, is one of the best-known breeds, but there are others as well as mixes.

The Hispano-Arabe is part Arabian and part Andalusian. Galician horses are an ancient breed believed to have come from the Celts. They are friendly horses who are people-oriented and very protective of their foals, so they make great mothers.

Paso Fina is a versatile breed. They come from several breeds that Christopher Columbus used when he was in the Dominican Republic, including, Barbs, Andalusians, and Spanish Jennets. These horses have a smooth gait, are extremely smart, easily trained, and like people. However, they can be spirited.

Merens are sturdy and strong and make a good all-around choice. They’re known for their endurance either riding or pulling vehicles.

The story continues with Holden Judd’s mother driving him crazy, trying to match him with a woman he has nothing in common with. When he goes to buy horses from Matteo for his livery business, he keeps returning, and it doesn’t take long for him to fall in love with Carmen. However, his mother is determined to break them up, even if she must be secretive about it. Carmen’s Wedding Dilemma is available for Kindle, KU, print, and Audible. Check it out – CLICK HERE.

Do you have a special interest in an ethnic or cultural group? Explain why or why not.

Leave a comment to enter the drawing for a Kindle copy of Carmen’s Wedding Dilemma.

 

Kimberly Woodhouse Finds Stories in Bones

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Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to travel across the plains of Kansas into what is now Colorado and all of a sudden you see the Rocky Mountains ahead on the horizon?

If you’ve ever driven in this part of the country, you’ve seen it first-hand. It’s an incredible sight to behold. Especially after crossing so much… flat terrain. (Raise your hand if you’ve driven all the way across Kansas or Nebraska. Bonus points if you’ve done it multiple times.)

Out west here in Colorado, we get a lot of tourists that come to see the mountains. A lot of tourists.

One of the amazing hidden gems in our mountains and the surrounding rocky hills and landscapes is the plethora of sights where fossils have been found.

If you’ve read any of my books, you know that I love digging up some good history. And a pretty important part of our American history that a lot of people have never heard of is the Bone Wars.

Two paleontologists—Cope and Marsh—are the ones behind that intriguing title. Why? Well, let’s just say they weren’t nice to one another. Always trying to outdo each other, to be the “top dog”, to write the latest and greatest papers, to have the biggest and best skeletons displayed in museums with their name on it—these men stopped at almost nothing to win. Even going so far to use dynamite and blow up priceless, irreplaceable fossils just so the other couldn’t get to them.

Talk about the wild west.

My Treasures of the Earth series tackles the Bone Wars era while highlighting women in paleontology and the sticky subject matter of faith and science.

Set in Stone is book two in the series and it takes place in Colorado near the famous Red Rocks. Pretty close to Dinosaur Ridge actually, a place where you can see actual Dino footprints preserved in a towering wall.

One of the things I love about this area is the beautiful rock formations. In red, white, and gray. I can just imagine Martha—my heroine in this book—digging into these rock layers.

Her hopes and dreams of being recognized in the field are on the line when a fierce competition to present a complete skeleton to the museum puts her and her team in danger. Add in a good bit of suspense, a creepy villain, the thrill of digging for dinosaurs, and a dash of romance—you’ve got this second stand-alone installment in the series.

To celebrate the release of this book this week, I’m inviting you all to join with me in a little party here at Petticoats and Pistols.

I’m giving away FIVE copies of The Secrets Beneath (book one in the series), and one of those five lucky winners will also receive a copy of Set in Stone.

To enter – just leave a comment below. I’d love to hear about your favorite dinosaur, your favorite piece of American History, or if you’ve ever ventured west to see my Rocky Mountains.

Until next time… enjoy the journey,

Kimberley

 

Kimberley Woodhouse is an award-winning and bestselling author of more than forty books. A lover of history and research, she often gets sucked into the past and then her husband has to lure her out with chocolate and the promise of eighteen holes on the golf course. Married to the love of her life for more than three decades, she lives and writes in Colorado where she’s traded in her hat of “Craziest Mom” for “Nana the Great.” To find out more about Kim’s books, follow her on social media, and sign up for her newsletter/blog, go to: https://kimberleywoodhouse.com

 

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 

 

 

Winning Maura’s Heart and a Giveaway!

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“I lie awake and wonder what it might be like to kiss a man, to feel his arms holding me.”

At almost thirty, Maura Taggart had never been courted, been to a dance, or known a kiss. She’s lived the life of an outcast with her sister Emma due to their father’s profession as a hangman.

After tending the sick during a yellow fever epidemic, townsfolk run them out of town again but not before cutting Emma’s hair. Also unwanted are the orphans left behind when their parents died. Determined to make something worthwhile of their lives, to matter to someone, they take the orphans with them and open an orphanage in an abandoned Spanish mission.

The children name it Heaven’s Door because they believe there is a doorway from the orphanage to heaven and their parents watch over them.

Maura discovers a man near death and they take him in, unsure if he’s an outlaw or lawman. When the mysterious stranger can speak, he says his name is Calhoun, refusing to give more.

The time spent tending him draws Maura closer to him. The soft-spoken man has kind ways and loves the little orphans.

With a gentle finger, Calhoun lifted a strand of hair from her eyes. “Try to find someone else. There are hundreds of men better than me. I’m no good for you. Don’t you see? It’s better this way.”

Who is Calhoun? Who shot him? Maura tries to figure it out while keeping her heart locked. She has to keep the children safe and she knows he’s brought trouble to their door.

While writing this story, I did a lot of research and I found that not only were old West hangmen unwelcome once their job was done, but also their families. No one wanted them to live amongst them. Folks were quick to call for the hangman but once he’d dispensed of an outlaw, they wanted him gone.

In the old movies, he’s always alone. Rides in, doesn’t speak to anyone much, does his job and he rides away. I always wondered about their families. In the movies, they were never mentioned.

Even today, there is a certain distaste and even hate for those who carry out capital punishment. For that reason, the executioner is always hidden. We don’t have a name or anything.

I wrote Winning Maura’s Heart in the vein of the story Sommersby where the mystery of Richard Gere’s character is kept hidden. In my story, the identity of Calhoun isn’t revealed until the end but it draws speculation throughout the story.

Is he an outlaw or lawman?

This is a sweet romance and releases on March 7th. Click HERE for an excerpt!

Do you like stories where things aren’t straightforward? Or where certain characters’ true identities aren’t revealed until the very last? I’m giving away an autographed hardback to one person who comments.

* * * * *

Also, I have a Goodreads Giveaway going on with 50 copies of the book up for grabs! Click HERE to Enter!

 

Thank you for coming.

Misty M. Beller On Unusual Settings (and she has a giveaway!)

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Hey, y’all!

It’s always such an honor to spend the day with you! The Petticoats and Pistols reader family is one of my favorite places to visit.

Are you a fan of unusual settings in books? I’ve always loved western settings, especially in the mountains. (especially the Rocky Mountains!) My latest release, A Healer’s Promise, has an especially unusual setting—a secret village hidden in caves in the Canadian Rockies. They’ve been completely cut off from the outside world for a hundred years!

This series has been so much fun to write, and I’m often asked if the hidden village of Laurent was a real place. My answer is…it’s possible! J

I was listening to a historical podcast a few years ago that talked about the Vikings and the female warriors who would sometimes gain fame among them. As the hosts talked about the first Viking raids to North America, I started thinking… “What if one of those groups went farther west than any of us thought? What if they found the Canadian Rockies and lived there in a hidden community for centuries?” The thought took hold, and little by little, the idea for the Brides of Laurent series came to life. I eventually changed the village to be a French settlement named Laurent.

Much of the book takes places in the mountains just outside of the village of Laurent, and some of my favorite parts are the snowy winter weather, hiding in a cave, a horse named Chaucer who saves the day…

And of course, our hero and heroine!

From my mind’s first glimpse of Levi and Audrey, I fell in love with them both. Levi is a British spy, and he’s one of those really good guys. He’s strong and capable. A gentleman, who struggles to protect Audrey, especially when his very presence is part of what puts her in danger. And add in the British accent… (happy sigh)

Audrey is one of those caring people who give freely of themselves to help others—and she really loves doing it! She’s a born nurturer, which is one of the reasons she helps Levi escape instead of letting him face unjust punishment because of his background.

Of course, no one is perfect and these two have their share of personal struggles. But I love their hearts throughout the story. And of course, the way things develop to a sizzle between them! I think you’ll love being part of their story as it unfolds. And I hope you love the wild majesty of the Canadian Rockies as much as I do. J

Today, I’m excited to give away a copy of book one in the series, A Warrior’s Heart.
I’d love to hear from you, what are some of your favorite book settings?

Misty M. Beller

Available for preorder! A Healer’s Promise
USA Today bestselling author of romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love. 

 

 

 

 

Ahh, Let the Fresh Air in!

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My newest book A MAN OF LEGEND is now available everywhere. This is Book 3 of the Lone Star Legends series and brings it to a gripping conclusion.

Quite a bit of research was necessary, some because I wasn’t sure about the early 1900s as I’d never set a book during that time period. It was really an interesting time with thousands of inventions and improvements in just about every part of life. Automobiles were just beginning to be driven and phones used.

One thing I wanted to add that I had questions about were screen doors and windows. In the 1880s, when diseases caused by mosquitoes and flies began to reach the public, folks started paying attention and installing screens. Then by the 1890s, companies began to mass produce and make them rust-poof and they really took off.

Since my story is set in 1908, I put them on the doors and windows at ranch headquarters of the Lone Star. I mention them quite a bit since Stoker Legend refused to have very much to do with innovations. Up in years at 83, he preferred the old ways.

A lot of people, including Charles Goodnight, slept on screen-in porches. A lot of folks did.

When I was growing up, we didn’t have air-conditioning and always slept with the windows up and doors open in the summer. I can still smell the fragrant night air coming in. I loved that smell. That was some good sleeping. It’s too bad those days are gone now, replaced by manufactured air.

Do you have any favorite memories of a screened porch or open windows? And sometimes we could overhear things we weren’t supposed to. I’m giving away three more copies of A MAN OF LEGEND so leave a comment.

About the book

Crockett Legend has always loved Paisley Mahone, but a family feud sure can ruin a romance. When her father turned against the powerful Legend clan, she took her family’s side and broke Crockett’s heart into pieces. Now her father’s dead and Paisley and her last remaining brother are convinced the Legends are to blame.

If only he can find a way to prove their innocence…

A chance meeting throws the couple together, and when their train is held up by outlaws, Crockett and Paisley have to team up to save a young boy from dying. A tenuous truce is born. Together they may have a chance of bringing the truth to light…if they can get to the bottom of who’s been trying to turn the two powerful families against each other. With so many secrets to unbury, it isn’t long before Paisley finds herself in the crosshairs, but Crockett vows there’ll be hell to pay if anyone hurts the woman he loves…or stands in the way of a Legend in the making.

Here’s my book trailer:

 

 

Guest Author Amanda Cabot – Did You Know?

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Research. Authors tend to be in two camps where it’s concerned: those who love it and those who hate it. I’m firmly in the first category. I love learning new things about the time period and location I’ve chosen for my books, but – and this is a big but – there’s a problem. All too often I uncover tidbits that I find fascinating but that won’t fit into my stories. Since I hate to have them languish in my research folder, I thought I’d share ten of them with you today.

The first five come from The Texans, part of Time-Life’s The Old West series. 

  1. Although there’s no denying Stephen Austin’s importance in Texas history, colonizing the area wasn’t his dream. It was his father, Moses’s. In fact, Stephen was less than enthusiastic about the idea. But when Stephen learned that his father’s dying wish was that he ensure that Moses’s plans for Texas were realized, the dutiful son agreed. And the rest, as the saying goes, is history.

 

  1. One of the terms of the land grant Austin (Stephen, that is) received was that he’d bring 300 families to settle on that land. Though he’d expected that to be relatively easy to accomplish, he was only able to recruit 297. No one seemed too distressed by that breach of contract, and those families were soon referred to as the Old Three Hundred.

 

  1. The Mexican government had two stipulations for land ownership: settlers must become both Mexican citizens and Roman Catholics. Since most of the immigrants were Protestants, it was generally understood that Catholic rites would not be strictly enforced.

 

  1. Because not all communities had priests, couples who wanted to marry but didn’t want to wait for the priest to reach their town would often have a civil ceremony. That ceremony included signing a bond that they’d have their marriage confirmed by a priest as soon as possible. In theory, the bond was legally enforceable, but unhappy couples who wanted to dissolve their marriage simply destroyed the bond and declared themselves once more single.

 

  1. Speaking of marriage, Sam Houston, another legendary figure in early Texas history, had a disastrous one. Within three months of marrying the much younger Eliza Allen in 1829, they were separated, perhaps because of his drunkenness. Fortunately for him, when he married again in 1840, also to a considerably younger woman, the marriage was a longer and presumably happier one that resulted in eight children.

 

My second source of tidbits is T.R. Fehrenbach’s Lone Star.

  1. You’re undoubtedly familiar with the term hidalgo, but did you know that it’s derived from the old Spanish term Fijo d’Algo, meaning “son of someone important”?

 

  1. When Texas became a state, its constitution included some unusual (at least for the time) provisions. (1) No minister could serve in the legislature. (2) Married women were guaranteed property rights. (3) Private households were exempt from foreclosure. (4) Banks could not incorporate.

 

  1. In 1838 Texas became the first part of America to enact homestead legislation.

 

  1. Immigrants, particularly from Europe, formed a large part of the population. In fact, by 1850 European – mostly German – immigrants outnumbered Mexicans and Anglos in San Antonio.

 

  1. Among the immigrants who settled in the Hill Country were a number of intellectuals who formed utopian colonies referred to as “Latin Colonies” because they conducted weekly meetings where they discussed topics ranging from politics to literature to music in Latin. While there was no doubting the founders’ education, their lack of farming experience led to a predictable decline in the towns’ fortunes.

 

And there you have it: ten tidbits that intrigued me. Were you surprised by any of them? Which did you find the most interesting? Can you envision a story with one of these as its basis? If so, which?

Amanda is graciously giving away a print copy of The Spark of love to one lucky commenter.

 

The Spark of Love

 

 

Buying Links

Amazon

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Barnes & Noble

Christian Book Distributors

 

She’s determined to start a new life in the West . . . if only the old one will leave her alone

 

When a spurned suitor threatens her, heiress Alexandra Tarkington flees New York for Mesquite Springs in the Texas Hill Country, where her father is building a hotel. But the happy reunion she envisions is not to be as her father insists she return to New York. Instead, Alexandra carves out a niche for herself in town, teaching schoolchildren to paint and enjoying the company of Gabe Seymour, a delightful man she met on the stagecoach.

 

But all is not as it seems. Two men, each with his own agenda, have followed her to Mesquite Springs. And Gabe is an investigator, searching for proof that her father is a swindler.

 

With so much to lose—and hide from one another—Alexandra and Gabe will have to come together if they are ever to discover whether  the sparks they’ve felt from the beginning can kindle the fire of true love.

 

 

Amanda Cabot is the bestselling author of more than forty books and a variety of novellas. Her books have been honored with a starred review from Publishers Weekly and have been finalists for the ACFW Carol Award, the HOLT Medallion, and the Booksellers’ Best.

 

 

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