Tag: cowboys

Romance Writers’ Weekly #lovechatwrite

On By jillhaymakerIn authors, baby boomer romance, contemporary romance, cowboys, happy endings, later in life romance, romance, second chance romance, small town romance, western romance, writing lifeLeave a comment

Hi everyone. If you haven’t noticed I’ve been silent for a few weeks. Lots of fun family time and travel have been going on in my life, but now I’m back 🙂 This week for our blog hop, we have been asked write about our favorite scent and what it evokes for us. This was a hard one as I have lots of favorite scents, but if I have to choose one, I think it would have to be the smell of pine trees, especially after a rainstorm. As many of you know, I write western romances centered in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. The smell of pine always brings me back to those mountains. It brings back wonderful memories of times I’ve spent in the mountains on horseback or hiking trails. It evokes a sense of peace and calm and that all is well in this sometimes crazy world of ours. If you want to experience the mountains for yourself even if you’re somewhere else, check out my Peakview Series which takes place high in Colorado.

Once you’ve done that, hop on over to my good friend, Brenda Margriet’s blog to see what scent she likes at https://www.brendamargriet.com/blog Also check out her new romance, Secrets Under the Covers, at https://books2read.com/SecretsUndertheCovers

Pre-order now

On By jillhaymakerIn 2021, authors, contemporary romance, cowboys, happy endings, new release, romance, small town romance, western romanceLeave a comment

The first book in my new Peaktop Dude Ranch Series is now available for pre-order. If you enjoyed my Peakview Series and my Aspen Ridge Series, you’ll love this new series which takes place on Peaktop Ranch nestled in the Peak National Forest between the small towns of Peakview and Aspen Ridge, Colorado. Don’t worry, many of your favorite characters, from the prior series, will pop in from time to time to say hello. And of course, Violet Crandall will continue to take credit for all the new romances. If you are new to me as an author, this series is also a great place to start. Here’s a peak at the first story:

SOPHIE DALTON never expected to graduate from college and get dumped on the same day, but life doesn’t always turn out like you plan. When her boyfriend leaves her for New York City, she’s suddenly thrown into an uncertain future. A job offer from the dude ranch owned by her high school best friend and her older brother just might the solution to her problem. Coming home to Peakview County, Colorado, Sophie has no intention of letting another man capture her heart, even if her new boss is the crush she had all the way through high school.

BRANDON PEYTON has big boots to fill, taking over the running of the family ranch for the first season since his parents retired. Everything needs to be perfect. When his kid sister begs him to hire her high school friend as his office manager, he fears it will be a really bad decision. He wants someone older with more experience. Nevertheless, he gives in and decides to give Sophie a try. As the summer progresses, she not only surprises him with her handling of the job, but he’s drawn to her in a way he’s never been to any woman before.

Two people who’ve put up protective barriers around their hearts, slowly feel their walls start to crumble. Can these two find a way to run the ranch they love together and find the love that they’ve always longed for? In the beauty of the Colorado Mountains, two hearts unite with a common goal—make Peaktop Dude Ranch their forever home.

PRE-ORDER NOW BY CLICKING THE GRAPHIC COVER BELOW 🙂

SPRING?

On By jillhaymakerIn baby boomer romance, contemporary romance, cowboys, family, motherhood, love, flowers, gardening, happy endings, later in life romance, new release, romance, second chance romance, silver fox romance, small town romance, Uncategorized, western romanceLeave a comment

Is it Spring yet? No matter where you reside, when we reach the end of February, you’re bond to hear this sentiment. If you live in the southern United States like I currently do, the answer is almost. In a couple more weeks it will be safe to plant without fear of frost. On my morning walk today, I saw yards filled with blooming daffodils, pansies, forsythia, and flowering trees. The azaleas are starting get their first blooms.

If, however, you live farther north, like my former home in Colorado, consistent warmer temperatures are still several months away. Although you may experience beautiful, warm March days, the next day you may get several feet of snow. The danger of frost stays until after Mother’s Day, regardless of the fact that the first day of spring is on the calendar in March.

Why do we look so forward to spring? Probably for many reasons. The days get longer, and the gloom of winter fades. Spring signals a new beginning, a time that reflects hope. A sign that no matter how dark our lives get, there will be a brighter tomorrow. There’s something so reassuring about watching tiny plants emerge from the recently frozen ground. Seeds that never gave up, but merely waited for their season. I love that!

It’s similar to the reason I write romances. I love the happy endings. Readers can pick up a romance novel and be assured that no matter how bad a situation may appear, that it will get better, the characters will fall in love, and they will have a happy ending. After all, isn’t that we all want for our lives?

So find hope in the anticipation of spring, whether it’s next week or next month or a ways down the road.

My latest novel, Climb up to Love,  was released last week. If you love stories of hope and new beginnings, get your copy now, and see how Sierra and Storm find a new beginning and overcome the darkness of their pasts. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084BP9GW6

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Great Holiday Deal

On By jillhaymakerIn baby boomer romance, Christmas Romance, contemporary romance, cowboys, family, motherhood, love, free ebook, happy endings, later in life romance, new release, second chance romance, silver fox romance, small town romance, Uncategorized, western romance1 Comment

Hi Everyone, Just wanted to let you know that my Christmas in Peakview Box Set is free for your kindle today through Friday. Now you can get all three heartwarming holiday stories in the Peakview Series, Colorado Cowboy Christmas, Colorado Golden Sunrise, and A Peakview Christmas bundled together for your convenience at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07X6GJXG8

Safe to Love

On By jillhaymakerIn baby boomer romance, contemporary romance, cowboys, happy endings, later in life romance, new release, romance, RWA, second chance romance, silver fox romance, small town romance, Uncategorized, western romanceLeave a comment

HI everyone, the wait is over, book two in my Peakview Series, Safe to Love, is now available at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P9BKF5T, I think you are going to like this one 🙂 see blurb below:

The assault cast a dark shadow over ANGELA RODRIGUEZ’S life for twenty-three years. Her recent move to the tiny mountain town of Aspen Ridge allowed her to escape the person, but not the nightmares that haunt her nights. Will she ever be able to overcome the fear?

COLT OUTLAW owns and operates the largest cattle ranch in Peakview County, Colorado. Since his father’s untimely death, he’s not only taken care of the ranch, but also his mom and sister. There aren’t enough hours in his day for frivolous things like romance. That is until Angela walks into his life. Two hearts longing for more but separated by ghosts from their pasts. Can old walls, built to protect, crumble under the power of acceptance and love?

Love always wins.

REDISCOVER ROMANCE IN ASPEN RIDGE-A SMALL TOWN WITH AN OPEN HEART.

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A Peakview Christmas Trailer

On By jillhaymakerIn Christmas, Christmas Romance, contemporary romance, family, motherhood, love, happy endings, new release, romance, second chance romance, silver fox romance, small town romance, Uncategorized, western romanceLeave a comment

Hi friends, As you may know, my new Christmas novel, A Peakview Christmas, is now available for pre-order at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GWT7HZ1. It was be released on October first.

Here’s your chance to watch the trailer now. https://youtu.be/ugLR0GaImoE  Enjoy 🙂 I hope it puts you in the holiday spirit.

Even though the heat index here in East Texas is 100 degrees today, there’s nothing like winter in the Colorado Rockies to get you in the mood. It’s only 96 days until Christmas!  Jill

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CHARACTER TALK TUESDAY-MOLLY PEYTON

On By jillhaymakerIn baby boomer romance, contemporary romance, happy endings, romance, second chance romance, small town romance, Uncategorized, western romanceLeave a comment

Tell us how long you’ve lived in Peakview County.

My husband, Jim and I purchased Peaktop Guest Ranch almost thirty years ago. We absolutely love these mountains and the community. We also love running a guest ranch. Our two children grew up here.

What exactly is a guest ranch?

I’m glad you asked. A guest ranch, or dude ranch as they’re sometimes called, are wonderful places for family vacations. It’s an American-style all-inclusive vacation. The main activity is horseback riding, although there is plenty of other activities to keep our guests busy if the don’t ride. There’s many miles of hiking trails, fishing, tennis courts, and a swimming pool. During the summer months, everyone stays a whole week, from Sunday until Sunday. We have activities every evening. We have a square dance, singing around the campfire, cookouts, hayrides, and an old fashioned melodrama. During our off-season, September through May, guests can choose to come for a weekend or just a couple of days. We are closed in January and most of February.

That sounds wonderful.

People like it. We have many families that come year after year. We’ve even gotten to the point where kids who grew up coming here are now bringing their children.

Any plans to retire?

Not in the near future. Our hope is someday when we get too old to want to do this full time, that our kids will take over. Our son, Brandon is a junior at Colorado State majoring in animal science with a minor in business. He hopes to become a vet. It would be great to have our own with so many animals on the ranch. He loves this place as much as we do.

Where is your ranch from the town of Peakview?

It’s located about fifteen miles northeast of town. It’s very isolated, which is what guests like. They come to get away from civilization. We still don’t have cell service, and we like it that way. There’s always something going on. Stop by and check us out if you get the chance.

CHARACTER TALK TUESDAY-LUKE WALKER

On By jillhaymakerIn contemporary romance, family, motherhood, love, goodness, happy endings, romance, smal town romance, western romanceLeave a comment

How long have you lived in Peakview?

All my life. That would be 24 years. I grew up on the Walker Ranch, with my parents, Jeff and Susan Walker and my older brother, Matt. What a place to grow up. My earliest playmates were horses and cows. You could say ranching is in my blood. Unfortunately, Mom died of cancer when I was just twelve. Dad did a pretty darn good job of being a single parent. Although his cooking skills took some practice. I credit Violet for keeping us alive those first few months.

I hear you meet your wife, Penny, in kindergarten. Was it love at first sight?

Not exactly. We were always friends. Her parents own the ranch right next door to ours. It wasn’t until Mom passed that we became more. She was just there for me, got me. I don’t think I’d have made it through that time without her. After that, we became an item–dated all the way through high school. But my dream was always to stay on the ranch, raise quarter horses with Dad, and Penny wanted out. She dreamed of big cities. We broke up when she went off to college in Chicago. I hardly saw her for four years. And then she was back. She found a job at Peak Adventure Camp and the rest is history. I never really stopped loving her.

Tell us about your son.

Bronco. He’s the best. He’s four months old now. He already loves horses. Being a dad is the hardest and best thing I’ve ever done. Every day he does something new. I hope he grows up to love the land as much as Dad and I do. Penny is a great mom. I knew she would be.

Tell us something we don’t know about you.

I’m an introvert. I was the football star in high school, ran with the popular crowd. Everyone viewed me as outgoing. Really inside,  I hate crowds. I’m more comfortable around horses than people. Give me a nice evening at home with my wife and son, that’s heaven for me.