Tracie Peterson is the bestselling author of more than 100 novels, both historical and contemporary, with more than 6 million copies sold. She has won the ACFW Lifetime Achievement Award and the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. Her avid research resonates in her many bestselling series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana.
In this interview, Tracie shares her thoughts on her latest book, A Constant Love.
FF: Can you please provide a brief summary of your novel A Constant Love?
A terrible winter leaves Micah Hamilton and Charlotte Aldrich facing unspeakable loss. As they endeavor to overcome their grief and face the future of cattle ranching in the Wyoming Territory, Charlotte’s lifelong dream of marrying Micah is interrupted by two very real obstacles. First of all, Micah doesn’t see Charlotte as anything other than a good friend…even a sister. And second, she’s engaged to Lewis Bradley, a man her father arranged for her to marry. But now her father is dead, and Charlotte no longer feels obligated to carry out his wishes. Lewis, however, needs Charlotte’s money and isn’t about to give up getting it. Even if it means seeing his rival dead. Charlotte and her mother are hard-pressed to figure out how to help Micah through the guilt and grief of losing his father to suicide, while Lewis plots against all three to have his way. Only God can lead them to the truth and understanding of what will set each of them free.
FF: Can you tell readers more about the characters of Micah Hamilton and Charlotte Aldrich? What makes their relationship unique?
Micah and Charlotte grew up together. Micah was best friends with Charlotte’s brother Frank and they each lived on neighboring cattle ranches in the Wyoming Territory. Death unites them after the terrible blizzards and devastation of the Great Die-Up, as the winter of 1886-87 was called. Hundreds of thousands of cattle were lost. People also died, some freezing to death or succumbing to sickness, and some, unable to cope with the devastation and storms to suicide. Micah has to face the loss of his father to suicide at a time when Christians were often quite unmerciful about such things. Charlotte had been in love with Micah since she first met him, but her father had plans for her to marry a man she didn’t love. Her defiance and resolve to have her own way left her overwhelmed with guilt when her father and brother died while rounding up cattle in a snowstorm. Both have to deal with the emotional guilt and regret of the past, in order to move forward into a future of hope and happiness.
FF: A Constant Love deals with themes of loss and grief. How do you approach writing about such sensitive topics?
I think as a writer I’ve always been prone to write about things I’ve gone through either for myself, or with those around me. Grief and loss come to everyone and so I knew this would be a universally experienced and known element that any of my readers could relate to. However, everyone’s experience is unique to them. Keeping that in mind, I tried to write this story in such a way to focus on the most common issues. The shock of losing someone, the manner in which they die, the reaction of people to the causes of death, the elements of life without that person. Then there is also the issue of taboos and misguided religious notions. Trying to tackle all of these things in the story became a challenge. I relied on God’s guidance and the counsel of folks who deal with these issues every day, and hopefully that shows in the storyline.
FF: A Constant Love touches upon the challenges of ranching in Wyoming. What did you learn about this lifestyle during your research?
No matter where you go, ranching has elements that remain the same. But depending on the region where the ranch is situated, there are also great differences. I was able to talk to folks who ranch in Wyoming and even a couple of historians who were able to give insight into Wyoming in the 1880’s. There’s always so much to learn about various time periods and the way life was lived, and this was certainly a challenge. I was amazed at the way the blizzards of 1886-87 changed life for so many. A lot of the ranchers in Wyoming and elsewhere gave up after losing much of their herds. Wintering cattle on open range became an issue of great debate with more fencing coming about as a result. The need for growing more of your own feed came to be a major concern, especially in an area where water was often not overly available. Innovative, dry farming becomes of great importance and people find it necessary to change everything they think they know about dealing with animals and the land around them. I did my best to weave elements of that into this book.
FF: Can you elaborate on the “scorned suitor” mentioned in the synopsis? How does this character impact the story?
Lewis Bradley is a greedy, lawyer who lost his wife and her fortune all within a year’s time. Saddled with a young daughter and his limited salary, Bradley had been hard at work to make an arrangement with Charlotte’s father to benefit them both. They would become business partners in beef processing back east and further their fortunes, with Charlotte Aldrich at the center of the arrangement. When Charlotte’s father dies, she believes herself off the hook regarding marriage to Lewis Bradley. Unfortunately, he doesn’t see it that way and endeavors to force his hand. Throughout the story he creates obstacles that are seemingly insurmountable. However, instead of driving Charlotte and Micah apart, it only serves to bring them closer, foiling his plans for the future.
FF: What message do you hope readers will take away from A Constant Love?
I hope the reader will come away from the story with a better understanding that nothing separates us from the love of God as Romans 8:38 and 29 tell us. As believers we need to be tender with one another and less judgmental and harsh. Patience and kindness would go a long way to furthering the Gospel of Jesus, especially when death and dying are a part of the picture. We often forget the compassion of Christ for those hurting and suffering. This story will hopefully encourage more tenderness and love for one another, especially in moments of sorrow and loss.
FF: How did you research the historical aspects of life in Cheyenne during this time period?
I’ve gone to Cheyenne many times and have been saving historical tidbits over the years for that area. I’ve long known that I wanted to create an epic series showing the inception and development of this amazing town, and now that is coming to life. During my visits to Cheyenne, I’ve talked with local historians, picked up reading materials, toured museums and taken historical tours.
FF: This is your second series set in Cheyenne, Wyoming. What inspired you to write both The Heart of Cheyenne and The Hope of Cheyenne Series in this location?
Cheyenne is simply a fascinating town with a diverse and amazing history. There are so many things that took place in this town and I wanted very much to share it with my readers. I wouldn’t even mind doing a third series as there is just so much to tell.
FF: A Constant Love is the first book in The Hope of Cheyenne Series. Can you give us any hints about what readers might expect in future installments?
In each of the books you’ll get a little glimpse of characters from the Heart of Cheyenne, as well as new characters in each of the books. I think the readers will be pleased to see Cheyenne as the push to statehood is resolved and the city really comes into its own.
FF: Your novels often blend romance with historical settings. What do you find most rewarding about writing in this genre?
I love, love. In typical romance stories folks often point out a formula. Boy meets girl. Boy loses girl. Boy gets girl. Always there is a happily-ever-after ending. Sometimes the same can be seen in our relationship with God the Father. We meet Him. He seeks us and we get to know Him, yet often we walk away in sin. Hopefully, in the end however, we are wooed and won over and we come back to God in a forever love that will never fail. An eternal happily-ever-after. Writing romance reminds me of the great affection He has for us. Weaving in stories of human entanglements of the heart, along with the spiritual has always worked to draw me more intimately into my relationship with God. It’s my hope that the stories can do the same for the reader.
FF: With over 100 novels published, how do you keep your stories fresh and engaging for your readers?
I pray a great deal about my writing and the stories I seek to tell. I read (a lot) and watch documentaries as I seek interesting settings and events that might be used in new stories, and I talk to historians and craftsman to learn about the people of years gone by. There are millions of stories to tell, and I don’t think I’ll ever tire of the ideas God seems to continue to send my way.
FF: What are you working on next?
I’m currently working on a novella that will come out around Christmas 2025. It’s a short story about Vincent, a widower shepherd in Wyoming (of course), and Angel who comes to be his wife and help heal his hurting family.
A Constant Love
The Hope of Cheyenne Series #2
Tracie Peterson
Bethany House
Genres: Western Romance, Historical Romance
Release Date: March 4, 2025
ISBN-10: 0764241109
ISBN-13: 978-0764241109
Book Summary:
Heartache has left them emotionally desolate, but traces of love and healing could forge a future.
In the wake of a harsh winter, Micah Hamilton and Charlotte Aldrich are grappling with loss and guilt after the disaster that took the lives of their loved ones. Struggling to cope with his grief, Micah abandons his father’s dreams of a prosperous ranch and cuts himself off from the rest of the world.
Charlotte has loved Micah her entire life and is determined not to lose him as well. With her mother’s help, she begins coaxing Micah to live again. Despite their enduring heartache, the affection between them deepens, but just as Charlotte thinks her dreams may come true, a scorned suitor threatens everything she holds dear. Micah and Charlotte must embark on a journey of healing and renewal to build a life founded on faith, hope, and love.
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