Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Janalyn Voight

When Mail Took Weeks and 

Coffee Was Gold: Life in the Old West

By Janalyn Voigt, Guest Author

Ever wish you could time-travel to the Old West? I used to imagine it as a land of wide skies, brave hearts, and the kind of adventure that makes your pulse quicken. But as I dug into the real history while writing the Montana Gold western romance series, I discovered life back then was a mix of grit, gumption, and just enough grace to keep going.

Let’s set the scene.

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In the 1880s Montana Territory, a letter could take weeks to arrive—if it made it at all. Roads were dusty (or muddy) tracks. Stagecoaches bounced over ruts, stopping at waystations where you might be greeted with strong coffee and stronger opinions. If you wanted fabric for a new dress or parts for your plow, you sent away to a catalog and waited. Patience wasn't just a virtue—it was survival.

I’ve always admired the kind of woman who could manage a homestead, cook over an open fire, keep

her family clothed and fed, and still have the backbone to fight for what’s right. Women like that inspired characters such as America Reed, the resourceful heroine of Hills of Nevermore (Book 1 in the Montana Gold series). America flees a troubled past and finds herself in a rough gold rush town, facing the wild unknown without the certainty of God’s love. Shane Hayes, a blue-eyed circuit preacher with more gumption than caution, makes it his mission to set her straight.

The Gold Rush That Wasn't Quite

Speaking of gold, Montana's gold rush didn’t exactly play out like a Hollywood western. Sure, there were strikes like the one at Alder Gulch in the 1860s and stampedes of hopeful miners, but few struck it rich. Most ended up laboring to get by—or else moved on to the next big rumor of gold. The sense of transience this brought made the region volatile, but also full of opportunity for those brave (or desperate) enough to grab it.

I used that tension in Cheyenne Sunrise (Book 2), where a widow and a half-Cheyenne trail guide find themselves thrown together on a journey north. The unsettled land mirrors their own emotional landscapes—rugged, unpredictable, but with breathtaking beauty and unexpected grace.

Real Love in a Harsh Land

Romance might not be the first thing you associate with frontier life, but love stories were written every day—in shared hardships, small acts of kindness, and the kind of loyalty born from struggle. I like to think my stories echo those quiet, enduring romances. They remind us that even in hard times—maybe especially in hard times—people hold onto hope.

Take Stagecoach to Liberty (Book 3). Imagine traveling through mountain passes with strangers, only to discover one of them might hold the key to your past—and your future. Talk about a surprise. I wove real details about stagecoach travel into the story, from the grueling pace to the ever-present danger of bandits, breakdowns, and other perils.

Why I Keep Writing About the West

I write western historical romance not just for the swoon-worthy cowboys (though let’s be honest—they

don’t hurt). I write it because there’s something timeless about the resilience, faith, and community of the Wild West.

If that’s the kind of story you like too, I invite you to saddle up and ride into the pages of Montana Gold. Each book blends historical truth with heartfelt romance and just enough danger to keep you turning the pages.

Thanks to Linda Matchett for letting me stop by History, Hope, & Happily Ever After. It’s a joy to connect with readers who love history as much as I do!

Happy trails,
Janalyn Voigt
Let's connect: www.janalynvoigt.com

Purchase link:  https://janalynvoigt.com/bookstore/