New Release in the Yellowstone Romance Series!

After I finished writing Yellowstone Dawn in the spring of  2012, I was sure that it was going to be the last book in the Yellowstone Romance Series. Then something happened...readers emailed me, and asked me on Facebook and on this blog when I was going to write Dan and Jana's story. I had to think about it for a while until I even came up with a story for them. At the end of Yellowstone Heart Song, I sort of left it up in the air and for readers to decide whether Dan and Jana were going to get together. But, since readers apparently wanted their story, I ended up writing Deception. After that I thought a short Christmas story might be fun, but that was going to be the end of it. 

Well, I was wrong again when one of my beta readers bugged me to write a story with Daniel and Chase coming to the future together, and that's how Yellowstone Promise was born. I got more requests for another holiday story, so I wrote Season of Giving, and the requests keep coming for more books in the series. 

One reader in particular was extremely vocal in my Facebook group for me to write a story about Matthew Osborne, one of the twin sons of Aimee and Daniel. I finally agreed to write his story. Yellowstone Homecoming was just published today.

I knew instantly what the basic plot for his book would be when the request came for Matthew's story. Way back in 2012, when I was deep in research for a different book set along the Oregon Trail (Come Home to Me, Book 1 in Second Chances Time Travel Romance Series), I came across a true story about a father of an emigrant family who, half-jokingly, gave one of his daughters in trade to a native American that the wagon train encountered along the way. He never thought the Indian would hold him to his word.

The story stuck with me, and I had intended to use it for the second book in the Teton Romance Trilogy when I was plotting that series. Well, it never made it into any of the Teton books (I couldn’t resist to bring the Walker boys from the Tetons into this story for a cameo). In the back of my mind, I always wanted the Osborne brothers to perhaps scout for a wagon train, but the time period was just wrong. Using missionaries was the perfect solution, as it set the book a couple of years after Yellowstone Redemption. 

I'm happy to report that I've listened to my readers who are anxious for some more full-length books in the Yellowstone Series. What started as an idea for a three-book spinoff, has turned into a three-book addition to the series. The missing link to make the books I have planned be part of the Yellowstone series rather their own series oddly enough came from a review I received where the reviewer made a rather interesting and - what I thought - incorrect comment. I won't elaborate, but just one word in her review sparked the idea for what will become three additional books in the series, and I've begun work on the first of the three books. 

For now, I hope my Yellowstone fans will be happy with the newest chapter in the lives of the Osbornes - with Yellowstone Homecoming. 

Blurb:

“Matthew’s dead.” … News no parent wants to hear, but that's exactly what Daniel and Aimee Osborne must endure.

On their way home to the Yellowstone country after spending two years at University, brothers Matthew and Zach Osborne are looking forward to a happy homecoming and family reunion. The long trip takes an unexpected turn when their path crosses with a group of travelers who shouldn’t be venturing through dangerous Indian Territory.

Adelle Witmer’s journey west has brought her face to face with things she could never anticipate. Under her father’s stern and protective eye, she is not allowed to waiver from her strict upbringing. When two rugged woodsmen join their camp, she learns of a world beyond her wildest dreams.

Neither one of the Osborne twins could have foreseen the turn of events their decision to accompany the group of missionaries would take. Matthew’s unlikely attraction to Adelle not only puts him at odds with her father, but may very well cost him his life.

Available at:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes

RONE Nomination for DIAMOND IN THE DUST

I am beyond excited that the third book in the Second Chances Time Travel Romance Series, Diamond in the Dust, is nominated for a RONE award this year. 


RONE stands for Reward of Novel Excellence, and is a leading award given to Independently published books by IND'TALE Magazine. In order to be eligible for nomination, a book must have received a 4 star or higher rating by the professional reviewers of the magazine. A 4.5 review or higher is called a Crowned Heart Review. Diamond in the Dust received a 4.5 star review in March of 2015. 

IND'TALE is one of the leading publications in the Indie Publishing Industry, and getting a 4 star review from them is in itself a great achievement. Being nominated for a RONE is like being nominated for an Oscar, at least that's how I see it. 

I sort of chuckled when I saw that my book was one of the nominees in Time Travel Romance. It's the book I balked at writing, because I didn't want to write something in a mostly contemporary setting, and I had no idea how readers were going to react to the hero. Gabe McFarlain was the "bad guy" in the previous Second Chances book, and I had to turn him into a likable, hero-worthy character in his own book. I'm glad my readers kept pestering me to write his story. I loved the story when it was all finished. 

I then submitted the book for review with IND'TALE on a spurt-of-the-moment whim. I hadn't submitted the second book, Ain't No Angel, for review, but Book 1, Come Home to Me, also received a 4.5 review from them in 2013 (for some weird rule about the date when I submitted the book, it wasn't eligible for the RONE that year)

Now that Diamond in the Dust has been nominated, the second phase is readers vote on the books to see who makes it to the finals. The finalists in each category are then judged by industry professionals.

Personally, I don't enter contests, because they usually always boil down to who is the most social media savvy at getting votes. I like the fact that this isn't a contest that one can "buy their way" into, but a book had to be reviewed highly to qualify. The second phase, qualifying for the finalists,  is up to readers.  I'm not savvy on social media, and I'm not comfortable chanting "vote for me," but I'll give it my best shot, because I truly believe in my book, and it would be a great honor to make it to the finals.

I want to extend a huge congratulations to the other nominees in my category, Time Travel Romance, and the best of luck to all of us!

Voting for Time Travel Romance begins April 13 - 19, and the link to vote is right HERE. So now I'm asking you all to go out and vote for your favorite. If you've read Diamond in the Dust, I hope you'll support me and vote for the book. 

~Peggy

Release Day!

I'm so excited to announce that the second book in the Blemished Brides Series, IN HIS TOUCH is now available!

The concept for a series of western historical romances, where the heroine's aren't always physically perfect and beautiful, but still manage to spark the hero's interest, has been in my "to write" pile for almost two years. I finally got to work on the first book, IN HIS EYES, and it was published in January. I immediately set to work on the second book, and I'm happy to announce that it is now available at all e-book retailers!

A year has passed since a tragic event stole everything from Laura – her husband, her dreams for the future, and her sense of self-worth. Determined to run her farm alone, she resolves to never give in to the man who wants her land, or allow vicious rumors to break her spirit. When a compelling drifter offers his help, Laura must face the insecurities that have prevented her from leading a normal life.

Four long years in prison have given Cade plenty of time to plan his revenge against the man who framed him for murder. When a young widow saves his life, his unexpected attraction to her is a complication he hasn’t foreseen. In order to protect her from a common enemy, Cade is forced to hide things from the one person who deserves his honesty the most.

Cade and Laura’s mutual attraction opens old wounds and demands they confront their deepest fears. Even as their love grows, Cade’s reluctance to be completely truthful might destroy their one chance at finding happiness with each other. Will Laura’s trust in Cade be strong enough to overcome the secret he’s been keeping, or will the man who is out to destroy them both be victorious in the end?

Excerpt:

Swaying on his feet, he followed the faint flickering light to what appeared to be the main room in this home. A fire crackled in the hearth, its flames the only source of light. Cade’s eyes roamed the room, and fell to the figure of a woman sitting in a rocking chair in the far corner. Her head rested on her right shoulder, her eyes closed and her mouth slightly open. A thick, dark rope of hair tumbled over her left shoulder, the rest of it concealed under a knitted shawl. A rifle lay across her lap.
Cade’s eyes narrowed. The flames cast shadows on her face, the light dancing off her hair and cheek. The soft peacefulness of her features drew him in to where he couldn’t pull his gaze from her.
He shook his head to clear his mind. Perhaps it had been too long since he’d looked at a female, or maybe the gunshot wound had left him with an addled brain, but he’d never gazed upon a lovelier vision than this young woman sleeping in such an uncomfortable position.
He cast a hasty glance over his shoulder toward the bedroom, then back at her. Was she sleeping in that chair because he’d been in her bed?
One of the logs popped and crackled loudly in the fire. The woman stirred. Sudden awareness of his complete lack of clothing hit him the instant her eyes fluttered open. He clutched the towel firmly around his hips. A loud gasp escaped her lips, and she scrambled to her feet, her eyes wide as saucers. She didn’t hesitate to point the rifle at him.
“Raise your hands,” she commanded.
Cade stared, then his lips widened in a grin. “You sure you want me to do that, ma’am?”

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Apple

Crowned Heart Review from InD'Tale!

On a whim, I submitted Diamond in the Dust for review to InD'Tale Magazine in December 2014. To my great surprise, it received a 4.5 star (Crowned Heart) review, which was published in the March issue! What a pleasant surprise! 

This was, by far, the most difficult book I've written, because I don't write well in a contemporary setting, and there was a lot of psychology involved in this book. My first roadblock (in my head, anyways) was, how to turn an unlikeable bad guy from a previous book into a hero in his own book. My other challenge was to silence the voices in my head that I couldn't write a book in a mainly contemporary setting. 

Diamond in the Dust is Book 3 in the Second Chances Time Travel Romance Series.

 WESTERN/TIME TRAVEL:  Gabe McFarlain is awaiting the inevitable with a hangman’s noose around his neck. Raised in a Montana whorehouse, his life has not been happy. When the noose tightens, darkness descends - but instead of the hereafter, Gabe wakes up in the future to a warmhearted woman in a foreign world, with a second chance at life. 

Searching for a better life, Morgan Bartlett, by chance, finds Gabe on the side of the road badly beaten and comes to his aid. With an instinctive feeling of Gabe’s goodness, she strives to convince him of his worth and help him find happiness in his strange new world. However, neither Gabe nor Morgan counted on the combustible attraction burning between them.

This third installment in the Second Chances Time Travel Romance Series can be read as a standalone, although, it would be much more enlightening if read in sequence to better understand the hero, the circumstances which brought him to the future, and the people from his past. The protagonists are well developed and likeable with a solid plot that is interesting and moves at a good pace. Infused with the elements of heartbreak, some witty dialogue, and tender romance, this captivating love story provides a fascinating glimpse into the emotional journey of two individuals who are trying to forge a new life as they travel the road to their happily ever after. This enthralling and delightful novel will appeal to readers of many genres. 

First book in a new Series of Western Historical Romance

The beginning of a new Series!  I am excited to announce the release of IN HIS EYES, the first book in a new series titled Blemished Brides. A departure from my time travel and/or wilderness romances set in Yellowstone and the Tetons, this series is strictly western historical romance. 
However, my writing style has not changed. I hope you will join me on this new journey. Rest assured, there are more Yellowstone and time travel books coming up. 

 RELEASE DATE: January 26, 2015 
 Available at: 

Amazon 

Barnes&Noble 

Should be available on iTunes within a few weeks. 

 Book blurb: 

Carefree and strong-willed, Katherine Montgomery is the daughter of a successful Montana horse rancher. When a tragic accident claims her father’s life, Katherine is left to deal with an overbearing mother whose agenda does not include a young daughter. Fate deals her another devastating blow, leaving her to face an uncertain future far away from everything and everyone she’s loved. 
 Trace Hawley used to push the limits of the law, and no one was going to plan his future for him. The death of the man who always had his back leaves him to finally face responsibility. The promises he made a decade ago have shaped him into the man he is today, and will bring him face to face with the one girl from his past he always tried to avoid. 
 After a ten year absence, Katherine returns to the ranch she once loved to discover the shocking reason her mother summoned her home. Surprised to find Trace still at the ranch, her childhood infatuation grows into something far stronger as he challenges her to lead the life she once wanted, but seems to have forgotten. When Katherine is forced to make a choice between saving her father’s dreams or following her own, Trace might be the only one who holds the key to both.

Excerpt:

“He won’t bother you again,” Trace drawled. He even chuckled. “Looks like you were about to give him a shiner, but it may not be wise to go for a stroll in the dark with a man you barely know.” The humor in his tone was undeniable.

He reached for her hand as he spoke. Katherine didn’t hesitate when he led her further away from the house. Crickets chirped loudly around them, the only sound as he led her toward the stables. Trace didn’t stop until they’d reached the barn where the mare and her foal were stabled.

“I guess I haven’t learned my lesson,” she broke the silence between them, in an effort to disguise her racing heart. Warmth rushed through her hand and up her arm from Trace’s touch. “Seems to me that’s what I’m doing again right now, going for a stroll with a stranger.”

Trace laughed. “I’d like to think that you know me a little better than you know that dandy.”

Katherine swallowed. She hadn’t been in Trace’s company in over a week, but her reaction to him now, and the butterflies he stirred in her, had intensified since then.

“You seem to show up at the right time,” she managed to say. “Even if you aren’t around much otherwise.”

Trace stopped, and turned toward her. “I had some business to take care of this week, but I wanted to wish you a happy birthday.”

His words came slow, as if he was searching for the right thing to say. Katherine waited. She raised her head. His warm palm cradled her hand, and her skirt rustled when he took a step closer.

 “I . . . ah, have a present for you, but . . .” His words trailed off. His palm completely cupped the side of her face, his thumb caressing her cheek. He drew in a sharp breath, and mumbled a curse word. “Giving it to you might have to wait. I think I’d like permission to kiss you first,” he whispered, his tone so low, it was barely audible.