As some of you know from my October newsletter and social media, my latest book as Jen Gilroy, A Rancher’s Return from Harlequin Heartwarming, was published earlier this week.

It’s a sweet second chance contemporary western romance and although the fourth (and final) book in my Montana Carters miniseries it also stands alone.

A Rancher’s Return also marks two special milestones in my author career.

It’s my tenth published book (since 2017) and fifth Harlquin title.

Thanks to all of you for supporting my books and me and, in many cases, your friendship in writing and life.

Fun bookish facts

I wrote A Rancher’s Return during my lingering bout with Covid in 2023. Confined to home, my fictional world of the Tall Grass Ranch, small-town High Valley, Montana and the multi-generational Carter family were a much-needed escape.

The heroine, Molly Carter, is the family’s youngest sibling and only girl. She’s a pediatric nurse and her career is a loving tribute to that also followed by my late mother.

A Rancher’s Return includes a special double wedding. Since I got married twenty-eight years ago, it was fun to research current wedding trends, including those for more “mature” brides.

My favourite line from the book is also one of its overarching themes and guides my own life: “Changing your mind doesn’t mean you’re a failure. It means you’ve grown and changed like we all do.”

Since A Rancher’s Return takes place between late-October until just before Christmas, I included two favourite country Christmas songs in the story as part of a holiday tree lighting scene: Luke Bryan’s rendition of “Run Run Rudloph” and Thomas Rhett, “Christmas in the Country.”

Advance reviews and celebrating publication week

I’m delighted and grateful that so far advance reviews for A Rancher’s Return are positive.

“Sweet, sweet story.” ~ Jo/Ruth Reads

“Despite not reading previous books…I was able to enjoy this uplifting story about the bonds of friendship, family and community as a standalone.” ~The Literate Leprechaun

Although I’m anxious when sending each new book out into the world, it’s also a time to celebrate my “book baby.”

There’s always ice cream and a silver charm or other small piece of jewelry, although I haven’t yet chosen one to mark A Rancher’s Return.

But more than anything, I have a quiet sense of achievement and pride in writing another book to the best of my ability and continuing to grow my author career…word by word, day by day, book by book and reader by reader.

Want to read A Rancher’s Return?

Home is…Where their hearts never left.

A Rancher’s Return is available in large-print paperback and ebook from Amazon and most other online retailers here and/or request it from your library.

UK readers: A Rancher’s Return is available for Kindle on Amazon UK here.

From my heart and home to you, happy reading!

I’m grateful and honoured if you choose to pick up A Rancher’s Return and spend time in my story world.