Gambling Back Then

Gambling was considered a profession as far back as the 1800's in the old west. The gambler of the old west were often high rollers for the time. But for every high roller, there were many more who were local men who tried to parlay a little bit of money into a fortune. There are numerous stories where farmers, ranchers, and business owners put their homes, properties, and businesses on the line as a last ditch effort to win back what they lost. 

Some of the most well-known stories about the western territories include bandits, gamblers, saloons, and duels in the streets. They’re fun to read and they easily spark mental images of how things might have happened. Some of the accounts of these events have been stretched to be more than they actually were. Stories get exaggerated as they get told over and over.

These exaggerations are fun and they're also great inspiration for fiction and romance authors - me included. Notorious gamblers can't mix with polite society, right? Of course they can! At least in my stories they can. They learn to settle down, go straight, and change their lives. Being inspired by some of the people he meets, the hero in A Life Transformed vows he'll stop gambling and become a good guy.

If you enjoy inspiring stories of life changing moments and redemption, you might enjoy my Hero Hearts story, A Life Transformed. It tells the story of a man who wanted his life to be more. He was tired of the life of a gambler - he was tired of cheating people to make a living. When he meets the woman who melts his heart, he has new inspiration to build a new life. 

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Annie Boone writes sweet western historical romance with a happy ending guaranteed in every single story. Inspiration comes in many forms and Annie finds more than one way to make her stories entertain and inspire.

To connect with Annie, find her on Facebook, Twitter, or her website.

Follow Annie on Amazon, Bookbub and get email updates.

The Cutter's Creek Series is Two Years Old

Two years ago, I was thrilled to publish my first Cutter's Creek story with three of my friends. Kari Trumbo, Kit Morgan, Vivi Holt, and I had a blast creating the quirky town of Cutter's Creek, Montana. The characters that have come out of the series have been fun and sweet. 

 

I didn't want to let the milestone go by without a mention! 

 

The series started with a picture of a little red chapel in the hills and created the town around that sweet little building used for worship and weddings, funerals and festivals. It's a place of hiding and healing.

 

The first four novellas introduce you to the town, the chapel, and its lovely characters. We've added twenty-one more books after the first four for a total of twenty-five books in the series.

 

 

The first four novellas in this series are threaded together by a beautiful little red chapel nestled in the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains, Cutter’s Creek, Montana. The heroine in each of these novellas finds solace inside the walls of the building and the God it was built to serve. The chapel is the center of town and is an important landmark to the residents of Cutter’s Creek. Its unusual red color has become a symbol that all are welcome. The chapel isn't the center of future stories, but it's mentioned in many and it's the site of the Christmas festival in the Christmas novellas.

Romance seems just out of reach for these couples. At times, it’s as though they aren’t meant to be together. Sometimes, they’re too stubborn to see what’s right before their eyes. Each has a lesson to learn before they get the prize of happiness in love. These stand-alone, happily ever after stories will melt the coldest heart and make the disenchanted believe in love again.

 

We've put together boxed sets for the first three stories for each author. If you've somehow missed the first twelve stories, you can get them now in boxed sets!

Annie Boone's Cutter's Creek Books 1-3

Kit Morgan's Cutter's Creek Books 1-3

Kari Trumbo's Cutter's Creek Books 1-3

Vivi Holt's Cutter's Creek Books 1-3

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Annie Boone writes sweet western historical romance with a happy ending guaranteed in every single story. Inspiration comes in many forms and Annie finds more than one way to make her stories entertain and inspire.
 
To connect with Annie, find her on Facebook, Twitter, or her website.

Follow Annie on Amazon, Bookbub and get email updates.

Christmas in the Old West

American Christmas traditions in the mid to late nineteenth century were very similar to what we enjoy today. Obviously, technology has advanced our gift giving and decorating traditions, but the concepts are the same.

Larger cities and warmer climates made for Christmas seasons full of cheer. Traditions were easier to follow and people were more mobile because the weather wasn’t quite so harsh, even in the northern cities. Goods were more plentiful – for gift giving and for cooking. 

Pioneers and those who lived off the land in the Old West, had more difficulty during the winter months. Blizzards and icy cold winds were just part of a regular winter on the plains and in the mountains. Celebrating the Christmas season wasn’t necessarily without joy. Difficult, yes, but not impossible as there were many ways the pioneers found to be festive and happy.

Much of society in the Old West revolved around church and community. Sleigh rides and snowball fights. Decorating a tree and draping the mantle with evergreen boughs. Greeting cards and warm holiday wishes. Stockings hanging on the fireplace and gifts. Feasting with family and friends. 

The holiday traditions from the more civilized areas of the country and the pioneer regions of the west were similar, indeed. Though the pioneer way of life with limitations and more hazards was simpler. 

Pioneers were strong people. They made it through nearly impossible weather conditions – blizzards, droughts, wind and rain storms. But no matter how difficult life was for them, they found ways to celebrate the happiest time of the year. The Christmas holiday represented hope and love for mankind in those days, just as it does today.

Bringing in an evergreen from the woods was a joyful event for the entire family. They’d gather to decorate with ribbons, yarn, berries, or whatever they had. Carved toys and dolls were often hung on the tree as those were prized possessions of the children and worthy of a special place on the tree. Even a small home would accommodate a tree, though it might look more like an evergreen bouquet rather than the grand trees we normally think of.

Even if the family didn’t do much to decorate their home, the holiday feast was a vital part of the celebration. Preserves and pickles were saved for this special meal. The best meats were brought home to be roasted in the open hearth for the celebration feast. The women started baking early to be sure to have all the pies, cakes, puddings, and cookies ready for the family and visitors they would host. The children were often treated to small hard candies if parents could afford such luxuries. Of course, only the good little boys and girls were given these much wished for treats.

Gift giving was modest according to the standards of the larger cities. Most gifts were home made. Family members would start working on special surprises for parents, children, and siblings months in advance of the season. Knitted items, embroidered delicates, dolls made of corn husks or rags, carved toys, or even furniture were special items that would be cherished and treasured.

And finally, Christmas Eve would arrive. Most families would sing carols together and read the Christmas story in their well-worn Bible. Maybe they’d tell some fairy tales. They may enjoy visits from neighbors who were welcomed to join their family traditions. 

On Christmas morning, most of the community would be present for the Christmas service where the children would be absolutely wild with wonder and happiness. Praising God for His most perfect gift, each family would return home to enjoy a traditional holiday meal. A feast that had been prepared with care and love for all who would join around the table on that day.

Yes, the spirit of Christmas was alive and well in the Old West. Simple. Humble. Sincere. Filled with love.

 

 

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Remember Cutter's Creek, Montana? Christmas in Cutter's Creek was a joyful time. If you want to find out what happened at the annual Christmas festival in 1882, here's the best place to read all about it. Christmas Spirit is available on Amazon.

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Annie Boone writes sweet western historical romance with a happy ending guaranteed in every single story. Inspiration comes in many forms and Annie finds more than one way to make her stories entertain and inspire.

To connect with Annie, find her on Facebook, Twitter, or her website.

Follow Annie on Amazon, Bookbub and get email updates.

Families in the Wild West

Some of the most well-known stories about the western territories include bandits, gamblers, saloons, and duels in the streets. They’re fun to read and they easily spark mental images of how things might have happened.

While I enjoy stories or movies about the rougher side of the wild west, I also love to read about families. Parents and children making a difference for each other and their neighbors. Working together to make life as good as possible. Parents raising their children with respect for others and appreciating the value of hard work.

I’ve read a few accounts of what life was like for farm families. Loneliness, isolation, and complete self-reliance is one scenario for the reality farmers faced. This opinion says that a family lived in misery and taught their children that community doesn’t matter. While it’s likely that this was the case for some, I don’t think it was the norm.

From what I’ve read, I’ve come to believe that a rich social network was part of the life of a pioneer farmer. They needed each other and were happy to lend helping hands. They appreciated each other and valued community.

Most of the organized events usually had three purposes—work, supper, and fun. Work needed to be done, so they’d get together and do it. Then they’d have something to eat. Of course, someone would bring a fiddle so they could sing and dance. Fellowship and good food were great rewards for jobs well done.

Children learned to work hard, but they also had fun. I’m certain life wasn’t perfect for all, but that’s the reality for some. I doubt that many children enjoyed a life of no chores or responsibilities, and that was the start of learning the importance of a job well done. This is how children were taught the value of hard work and being helpful to those who need it. I fully believe there was more than enough time for children to run through the fields and play and laugh together.

I imagine that most families enjoyed a life of fellowship and friendships along with the hard work. Little House on the Prairie is probably a romanticized view of what family life was like, but I think it's far more realistic than the idea of farm families choosing to be isolated and alone. God created us to come together as a community and the pioneer farm families believed that this was the way to success and happiness.

I love the Laura Ingalls Wilder stories. I choose to believe that life was hard, but fun and meaningful. 

If you enjoy stories of family and children, you might enjoy my new release in the Colorado Matchmaker Series. Book One, Susannah and Lucas, tells the story of a couple who wanted children but found out they'd never be able to be parents. While this is a heartbreaking event for them - and probably readers, too! - they overcome it. Their marriage is greatly tested, but they don't pull into a shell. They reach out to others who need them. They change their plan and enrich their lives and marriage in the process. This is the story that sets the stage for the rest of the series - more happy couples who have babies and make beautiful families!

Susannah and Lucas is available now on Amazon.

 

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Annie Boone writes sweet western historical romance with a happy ending guaranteed in every single story. Inspiration comes in many forms and Annie finds more than one way to make her stories entertain and inspire.

To connect with Annie, find her on Facebook, Twitter, or her website.

Follow Annie on Amazon, Bookbub and get email updates.