I can’t tell you how excited I am to announce this new release: WITH LOVE, MONTANA: Big Sky Mavericks and Friends.

BOOK 1: Montana Cowgirl

Bailey Jenkins is back in town.

Fifteen years ago, I loved her with every ounce of my being…and hated her just as passionately for what she did. But this beautiful, broken stranger isn’t the same cocky rodeo queen who left Marietta with such big dreams. I might be the only friend she has in this small town with a long memory. A friend. Nothing more. And absolutely no benefits. Still, there’s no denying the connection between us. A single touch of her hand proved that.

BOOK 2: Montana Cowboy

All hat, no cowboy? Bite me.

I know what my hometown thinks—Austen Zabrinski deserved getting knocked down a notch or two after that scandal in Helena. But I’m a Big Sky Maverck and I’ll fly high again after the political dust settles. And how better to kill time than make friends with my new neighbor? The gal they’re calling Marietta’s “Red Hot Llama Mama.” Nothing serious, of course. Just a little here-today-gone-to-Helena-tomorrow fun.

BOOK 3: Montana Darling

Love at first sight is a myth. Right? Like BigFoot, only prettier…

People look at me and see a vagrant living in a tent beside the Marietta River. Just ask Mia Zabrinski, who blew into my camp with fire in her eyes and legal threats tumbling past her gorgeous, perfect lips. For the first time in months…well, since my beautiful Colette and our baby died, I can feel my creative juices starting to flow—along with an unexpected jolt of lust. Unfortunately, prickly attorney Mia seems more interested in making war than love—range war.

BOOK 4: Montana Maverick

If Santa was a woman…and wore snowshoes…

I’ll admit flying a helicopter in a blizzard wasn’t a great idea. But watching my grandbaby burn up with a fever while gasping for air wasn’t an option. I figured it was all over when we went down, but then an angel in snowshoes came to our rescue. Meg Z of all people. The woman the Press labeled my “archenemy.” Like hell. She saved us, and I’m going to return the favor by giving her something she doesn’t even know she needs: a family. My family. And me.

BOOK 5: Montana Gift

The untold—till now—story of OC Jenkins

So, my wife of forty years tells me she’s going to write our life story—even the bad sh…stuff. And lord knows there was plenty of that. Booze. Fights. Grief. Remorse. Why anyone would want to read about this is beyond me, but everyone in Marietta knows I can’t say no to Louise. After all, she saved me too many times to remember…but, now, you can read all about it just in time for Christmas. Tell your friends: Town Drunk Redeemed.

BOOK 6: Montana Miracle

A dog, a pastor, and an ex-con walk into a church…No, it’s not a joke.

The calendar is clicking down to December 25. The best possible travel day for a guy like me. No family gathered ‘round a tree opening gifts. No friends expecting me for a big ham dinner. No sticky strings attached…except for a stupid dog that doesn’t understand the command: “Go away.” And a beautiful but nosy pastor who claims I’m a “miracle in the making.” For a smart lady, Pastor Sam Zabrinski, sure picked the wrong ex-con to play Joseph in her living créche. Husband to Mary? Father to the infant Christ child? Pul…lease. I was a dad once. Briefly. And it didn’t end well. Only a freakin’ holiday miracle could reunite me with my daughter. And that’s about as likely to happen as Pastor Sam falling for a sinner like me.

BOOK 7: Her Hero to Love

Once burned. Twice wary.

Let’s be clear. I’m nobody’s hero. I tried that once. I failed. And I’ve got the recurring nightmares to prove it. So, when my little brother mentioned a Search and Rescue job opening in Marietta, Montana, I jumped in with both feet—just like they teach you in SmokeJumper School. Too bad nobody mentioned Kat Robinson, my scorching hot co-worker—a single mom with an autistic son. Whatever this crazy attraction is between us, I’m keeping a safe distance—for everyone’s sake.

BOOK 8: Her Rogue to Tame

Roommates with benefits. Who could possibly get hurt?

“Get your Zip On” – That’s the slogan for the new zip line I’m building near Marietta, Montana. Correction: was building. My dream is on hold until I’m back on my feet. I can’t work on the mountain, but I sure as heck can hobble well enough to accept gorgeous, New York City outcast Amanda Heller’s offer: supervise the restoration of her grandmother’s old Victorian while sharing the property’s guest house. I’m an ex-Chippendales dancer, so I know sizzle when I feel it, and I predict a quick fling in my future—a month or two tops. Which everyone knows isn’t long enough for a rogue like me to fall in love.

BOOK 9: Her Rebel to Kiss

Don’t look down and don’t give up.

That’s not a bumper sticker saying, it’s my credo for living. My SmokeJumper brothers, Flynn and Tucker, claim my off-season climbing career is too risky. I argued otherwise until…well, I walked away. Now, there’s no going back. Luckily, I’ve landed a great job in the same town where my best friends have fallen in love with the women of their dreams. Settling down always seemed more daunting than Everest until I kissed a mysterious lady in red on New Year’s Eve at the Big Sky Mavericks’ Masked Ball. I know it sounds crazy, but what are two star-crossed lovers supposed to do when one kiss isn’t enough?

Readers love these books:

"This novel had everything, family drama, love, a little bit of sexy and a lot of heart." - GertyP, Amazon

"Great story from start to finish." - Nanee at upallnightreadallday.blogspot.com

“What an absolutely remarkable novel. Salonen weaves a tale of love, loss, and triumph like no other. Her fluid writing and vivid descriptions bring Montana to life for readers. This insightful story weaves together life's ups and downs in a very touching manner. Salonen is definitely an author who stirs your emotions. She had me laughing like crazy, crying with a broken heart, and left me filled with hope and joy." - Pure Jonel, Goodreads

“…a refreshing romance, featuring characters that are “mature” (39 and 49) and an interesting path to an HEA.” - Amazon review

“This has to be one of the sweetest, most heart-warming stories I've read.” - Cindy F., Amazon

“Montana Miracle is a special holiday treat. It emphasizes the goodness of people and that we all deserve a second chance at happiness.” - Rosemary, Amazon

Download WITH LOVE, MONTANA for just 99¢
or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited.

Thanks to all who commented so positively on last week’s travel blog. I love being able to share pieces of our beautiful country with you.

Our campground in Flaming Gorge was one of the loveliest I’ve ever stayed in. Spacious spots and great views, plus a hiking trail right over the fence. We didn’t know any of this when we booked. Our goal was to find a spot close to a resort that hosted guided fishing because we arrived on a Saturday and had a fishing trip booked for Sunday.

Here are my tips in case you ever do this:

1. Don’t plan on fly fishing unless you are already an experienced fly-fisher-person.😉 Thankfully, our guides gently dissuaded us from that mistake when we met them that morning.
2. Don’t assume you’re fishing on a lake (one side of the dam is river, the other lake). The guides provide a boat called: a drift boat. I’m guessing drifting isn’t an option in a lake.
3. Dress in layers because this tour is 8-miles in 8-hours. And worth every penny.
4. If you plan on eating fish that night, make reservations at the restaurant, because this trip was all Catch-And-Release.
5. Grab the front spot in the boat if you can. You might not catch a lot of fish, but you will get the best photos.

Here are some pics and a short video:

The Flaming Gorge Dam

A drift boat and guide, who transports you to and from the river. And provides the right equipment, life vests, lunch, etc.

A short video introduction to drift boat fishing on Green River in Flaming Gorge, Utah.

Paul scores big time. He and Colleen BOTH caught five fish. (Fred and I each caught one. But mine, was a CUTTHROAT, which apparently is a big deal. Ha!)

We lunched. We laughed. We learned. And we enjoyed such beauty we’ll never forget. 

If this fishing trip looks like a big part of our trip, it was memorable, but it was only one day. Over the next two days, the four of us explored other spots in the area, including Red Canyon (OMG!), Moose Ponds (pretty but no moose), the Kokanee Salmon in Sheep Creek (pretty area, but we were too late in the season to see them), the Flaming Gorge Dam (no tours into the guts of the dam, sadly) and we hiked 2 miles to an overlook that most people never see.

Here is the western-most overlook that inspired this trip three years ago, when we passed this way on our trip home from South Dakota.

Rested and refreshed, we headed out the next day for Bryce Canyon and Capital Reef. I have some amazing shots to share with you next week…

I hope you’ll give my new box set a try, and be inspired to leave the first of many (fingers crossed) positive reviews!!

Happy reading, my friends!

Deb

Coming Next:

10/19: An anniversary! And Travel pics, part 3.