The Ridge Ranch Series Is Complete

 

A heartfelt thank-you from Katina J. Rose

There’s something bittersweet about typing “The End” on a series that has lived in my heart for so long. Ridge Ranch started as a quiet spark—just a small, rugged town tucked against the mountains—and somehow became a whole world full of found family, second chances, stubborn cowboys, and strong women finding where they truly belong.

And now… it’s officially complete.
Seven books. Seven couples. Seven emotional journeys that changed me as a writer.

If you’ve walked this path with me from the start, thank you. If you’re just now discovering Ridge Ranch, welcome. Let me introduce you to the stories that made this little corner of the world feel like home.

Managing Ryan

Grumpy-Sunshine • Opposites attract • Healing past wounds

Ryan never expected to fall for the one woman who refused to put up with his attitude. But sometimes the person meant to challenge you is also the one who teaches you how to love again. Their journey is messy, tender, and full of sparks.

Loving Bonnie

Slow burn • Workplace Romance • Protective cowboy

When Bonnie joins a prestigious ranch internship to rebuild her life, she’s determined to prove she belongs in a world that rarely welcomes women. Bo would rather avoid babysitting interns, but the fiery newcomer quickly earns his respect—and his attention. She’s off limits, he’s supposed to keep his distance, but the spark between them is impossible to ignore. As competition rises and dreams collide, they’ll have to decide if risking their hearts is worth the chance at something real.

Finding Liv

Found family • Forbidden Romance• City Meets Country

When a city girl with everything to lose lands in small-town Minnesota, the last thing she expects is to fall for a rugged cowboy already tied to someone else. Their worlds couldn’t be more different, yet the pull between them is impossible to ignore. When her life falls apart, she must choose between returning to the life she knew—or taking a chance on the one man who feels like home.

Saving Maddie

Grumpy/sunshine • Redemption arc • Trauma healing

Arianna Wade comes to Ridge Ranch searching for safety, not love—but the little girl she’s hired to nanny steals her heart, and the girl’s father isn’t far behind. Wyatt Ridge never expected to become a dad overnight, yet Ari is the one person who brings comfort to his scared daughter… and to the pieces of his own past he’s kept buried. As danger from Ari’s past resurfaces and Wyatt learns how to fight for the family he never saw coming, they discover that sometimes the hardest hearts to heal are their own.

Forgiving Annie

Second chances • Single mom • Emotional and healing

After a lifetime of painful choices, Annie Montgomery finds herself at the Ridge Ranch with a son who depends on her and a heart still tangled in regret. Isaac McGrath, her first love and the man she pushed away, never expected to get another chance, yet seeing her again makes old feelings impossible to ignore. As buried secrets rise and past wounds reopen, Annie and Isaac must face the truth they’ve both run from: sometimes the hardest person to forgive is yourself… and sometimes love really does come home.

Redeeming Cooper

Jo Williams has spent years trying to forget the best friend who never noticed her until that one night she ran away from. Cooper Ridge is tired of being the screwup everyone expects, but being with Jo makes him want to be the man she’s always deserved. When old feelings resurface and a life-changing surprise turns their world upside down, they’ll have to decide if love—and each other—is worth finally growing up for.

Billy’s Second Chance - Newsletter Subscribers Only

When a family crisis drags Billy back into the past he’s spent years outrunning, the only steady thing in the chaos is the girl who once saved him—Hannah, his childhood best friend turned long-distance anchor. She’s built a life at home, he’s rooted himself in hundred of miles away in cowboy simplicity, but being together again reminds them of everything they never said. As old feelings rise and the storm around Billy intensifies, they must decide if this goodbye will finally be the last… or if it’s time to fight for the love they’ve both been waiting for.

Thank You for Loving Ridge Ranch

• This series was built on heart:

• imperfect people finding their way

• a community that shows up

• healing that takes time

• love that feels earned and real

Ridge Ranch may be complete, but its spirit will always be with me—and I hope with you too.

If you haven’t started the series, now is the perfect time to dive in.
And if you’ve already finished, I’d love to know:
Which Ridge Ranch couple stole your heart?

Until next time,
💕 Katina J. Rose

Author Nation in Las Vegas

 

 In the beginning of November I took a great road trip to Las Vegas to Author Nation. I knew there was a conference in Las Vegas, but in the past it was called 20 Books Vegas. In 2023 co-founds Michael Anderle and Craig Martelle announced that there would still be a facebook group, 20 Books To 50K, but the conference was changing.

  Author Nation is led by Joe Solari and he and his team did a fantastic job organizing this event. The Horseshoe in Las Vegas held the event and it was very convenient to stay there and just walk down to the different conference rooms.

  

  There were so many great speakers at the conference. It was hard to pick which class to go to. Thankfully, if you purchased a ticket to the conference you get access to the recordings in January so you can watch what you missed.

Willow Winters was a speaker and it was enjoyable and informative to listen to her during her interviews. Her story to becoming a full time author was interesting and she gave us a little information on her battle with AI using her work without her permission.

 I have read a few of her books and they are great.

J.D. Barker was also a speaker at the conference and he is a very interesting man. I was lucky enough to see him speak in the past at the Chanticleer conference in Bellingham, Washington.

His story is interesting and amazing. From ghostwriting bestselling books, to selling everything he owned and moving to focus on creating a career as an author. He told us how he is both traditionally published and self published. 

  I have read his book Fourth Monkey and liked it. Not my usual genre but I plan on reading the rest of the series.

   

   The main event was an interview with James Patterson! 

  Sadly, he fell ill with Covid and couldn't attend the conference. Thankfully, he was feeling well enough to join us through Zoom. 

  J.D. Barker interviewed him and James Patterson is one of a kind. He was funny and honest about his career. It was very enjoyable interview and I was glad he was able to join us via Zoom.

  I confess I havn't read any of his books, but I did get his latest book at the conference and plan on reading it soon.

When Author Nation was over, the next day was Reader Nation. Many authors set up booths and sold there books and gave fans a photo opportunity. This even took place in the Paris Ballroom at the Paris Hotel. It was easily accessed through the Horseshoe Casino. So many great book but so little room in my suitcase to take them home!  I did go home with nine new books and got to visit with some author friends.

  

  I was lucky enough to catch up with and finally meet Jordyn Kross and got a signed book from her.

   Is Author Nation something I would do again?  Absolutely! 

  Though I will probably stay at the Paris. The Horseshoe was very fragrant between cigarette smoke and something that smelled like Axe Body Spray to cover it up. So people with sensitive sinuses will struggle. Paris didn't overpower me with smells as I explored the casino and restaurants. 

  I didn't budget for how expensive food and coffee would be. Lesson learned.

  I did manage to take in two Las Vegas shows while there. Tournament of Kings was great and so entertaining. Cirque du Soleil Ka was AMAZING!  Loved it.

So if you ever get a chance to go to Author Nation I recommend it. 

Threads of the Frontier ~ D. K. Deters

My latest research for my current work in progress (WIP) carried me back in time, to the days of frontier weddings held under open skies and the gowns that defined them. I thought you might enjoy a few discoveries from that journey.

On the American frontier, a wedding dress often told a story. It reflected the couple’s means, the season, and a moment of beauty in a harsh world. European fashion influenced styles of the day, but life out West demanded practicality.

        

Figure 1, ca. 1868 

Many brides wore their best dress, in various colors—brown, blue, burgundy, gray, or green. If she were fortunate enough to afford it, the bride might order a special dress that could be worn again for Sunday service or a dance. Among the upper and middle classes, white and ivory grew popular, a symbol of refinement slowly spreading West.

Imported materials were available, but local stores were likely to stock calico, wool, and silk. Brides often added lace collars, ribbons, or small brooches for decoration. Some gowns had detachable trains so the bride could reuse the fabric later, perhaps for a baby quilt.

       

Figure 2, Date: 1872

By the late nineteenth century (1870 to 1889), styles shifted with the rise of the bustle, a pronounced, graceful fullness at the back of the skirt. You’ll see a clear difference when comparing Figure 1 to Figures 2, 3, and 4. The bustle style reflected Victorian ideals of femininity and marked one of the most recognizable silhouettes in fashion history.

        

Figure 3, Date: 1879        

      

Figure 4, Date: 1881

For fun, I've added a wedding parasol (Figure 5). The late nineteenth century marked the height of the parasol’s popularity. Considered both essential and fashionable, it was a must for outdoor weddings. A bride’s parasol, often made of fine materials such as silk or lace, could reveal her wealth and social status.

Figure 5, ca.1890

In every gown and accessory lived the hopes and dreams of women forging their futures on the frontier.

Resources:

The MET - Public Domain