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My Colorado Favorites (and a giveaway!)

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I’m in the Caribbean at the moment with my husband!  He’s teaching tennis and I’m relaxing, reading, and eating seafood.  It’s heavenly. Please extend a warm welcome to my friend Jill Buteyn, who’s guest-posting for me today. Thanks so much for joining  us, Jill! -Becky

Most of my days are spent (quite uneventfully) staring at a white page on my laptop or writing words that I’ll come back to fix later. While my kids are in school, I buckle down and write. Even if mornings aren’t my best for creativity, I try to get some words down. By afternoon, it’s finally coming to me…and that’s when I head out to pick up my kids and cart them to their various activities.

I knew I wanted to write a guest ranch in my latest series, but I wasn’t sure exactly where to begin. So first I just allowed myself to dream up a ranch and a town. (That was fun!) I enjoyed setting my new Colorado Grooms series in the Rocky Mountains outside of Denver.

Then I began drafting and figuring out character personalities. I plunked my way through a draft—my first drafts leave much to desire, but at least there’s something on the page that I can work with.

After getting down the bulk of my ideas, I scheduled a research day. (I realize this may sound backwards, but I had been doing online research up until this point. Now I wanted to make sure it was legit.) The very gracious Lost Valley Ranch allowed me to come out for an afternoon and ask all of the questions I’d had pile up while I was drafting. It was so fun to leave my computer behind and explore. They shared ideas with me, a few of which inspired some scenes in the second book in the series. They also answered countless questions. I stopped along the way to take precisely one million pictures. And I came home excited about new ideas while confirming previous ones.

So I thought since I got to explore my beautiful state, I’d take you along for the ride and share a few of my favorite things about Colorado.

Colorado views are ahh-mazing.

I grew up in Minnesota, so there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t stop to look at the mountains in Colorado. They change every day and are always showing off.

Need space? We’ve got it.

In the city, Colorado houses and people can be packed tight. But there’s always lots of open space and scenery to be found nearby.

 

 

We have great summer weather.

Summer temps are often in the eighties, but even if it’s warmer, it will still cool off at night. Can’t beat that mountain air. It’s perfect for sitting on the porch.

Even the roads are pretty.

I can admit it—I have a habit of snapping photos of roads wherever we go. There’s just something about that imagery that draws me in.

I love a Colorado sunset—with mountains or without.

I hope you enjoyed coming along for the ride. (Time for everyone to climb out of my car. 😉 Since my husband can’t stand a dirty vehicle, I have no doubt he’ll be washing the road trip off of it any minute.)

Thanks for hosting me, Becky! (I loved your latest—Falling for You. Corbin quickly won me over with his humor.)

You’re welcome, Jill!  And I’m so happy to hear that Corbin won you over. 🙂

Also, congratulations to Vivian Furbay!  Vivian entered the giveaway Jill offered here and won a copy of The Rancher’s Surprise Daughter.

What do you love most, readers, about a) Colorado or b) cowboy heroes?

 

Jill Lynn writes small-town happily ever afters filled with humor, grace and faith. She lives near the beautiful Rocky Mountains with her husband and two children and can be found online at her website or at her Facebook page. Her latest release, The Rancher’s Surprise Daughter, is available now at:

Amazon

Jill’s Website

 

 

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Becky Wade

Author at Bethany House
Becky makes her home in Dallas, Texas with her husband and three children. She absolutely loves writing funny, heartwarming, and inspirational contemporary Christian romance.
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Comments

  2. I love the weather in Colorado. Clear skies, no humidity, no mosquitoes (I live in Connecticut). But even more, Colorado is where my grandchildren live. 🤗

    • All good things…I agree. When I first moved to Colorado I was amazed by the lack of bugs! And how sweet …hope you get to see your grandkids often!

  4. Those views are beautiful. I’ve never been out that way but would love to visit. I’ve always been drawn to the “West” and the idea of cowboys is a romantic concept but also to me it represents a slower pace and enjoyment of life.

  5. Leaving Pennsylvania today to head to Colorado for vacation. It was awesome to see this in my inbox this morning. Now I am really looking forward to experience this beautiful state! Thank you!

  6. Looks like another great summer read. Loved the pictures in the post of a beautiful state.

  7. Colorado is a beautiful state. It’s “almost” as beautiful as my state, Kentucky! ;-). Thanks for sharing your pictures.

  10. I’ve never been to Colorado but would love to see it. Being a flat lander, I always enjoy the refreshment of mountains.

  11. Thanks for sharing the pictures, so very pretty! Cowboys represent strength emotionally and physically and they are kind to animals. Thanks for the opportunity to win!Love the cover!

  15. While I’ve only been in Colorado once–landing at the Denver airport and then driving to Colorado Springs for a visit that lasted several days, I loved the views. The Garden of the Gods is unlike anything I had seen previously. We toured Focus on the Family’s headquarters and stayed at the Broadmoor. It was a superb visit so different from our lives in the Southeast and in Houston, TX.

  16. I’m sure I would love Colorado, as I love living in the mountains of WV.

  17. My daughter and 2 grandchildren lived in Colorado for a little over a year. I visited them there twice, and it was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. Thank you for the giveaway!

  18. Thank you, Jill! Love the photos. Isn’t God amazing – what a wonderful creator! I visited Colorado 15 years ago – time for a road trip. I currently live near Chicago and really miss the open space and beautiful sunsets. My home state is Minnesota. 🙂 My parents still live on twenty acres that has been in the family for four generations.

  19. I’ve never been to Colorado, but your pictures are beautiful! Thanks for sharing them.

  20. I’ve never been to Colorado but I could really enjoy some cooler temps right about. Your photography is gorgeous! I think the red barn and the roadways are my favorites.

  21. I love how beautiful Colorado is. I went there once as a teenager and would love to visit again.

  23. Thanks so much for sharing your lovely pictures. We lived in the Sangre de Cristos about 50 miles from Pueblo for several years. We thoroughly enjoyed living at 9500 feet – the view was fantastic!! Now we live in Minnesota and miss the mountains 🙁

  25. Nothing like those mountains! The piece and calm I get when seeing them…priceless!

  26. I haven’t been in Colorado in years but I love wide open spaces, beautiful mountains, and blue and white skies. Thank you for sharing pictures of your beautiful state. Makes me want to plan a trip!

  27. Loved your post, sometimes I don’t think I realize how much research can go into a book! Colorado looks wonderful, I live in a city so seeing the wide open space and the majestic mountains is just wonderful! I love cowboys so I can not wait to read your new book. I think cowboys are just so down to earth, rugged, good men who are not afraid to work hard and get there hands dirty! Thank you for the chance to win your new book!

  28. I just like that books I read can take me away to different places that I haven’t been to and if I’m ever fortunate enough to get to visit these places it’s all the better because the story I once read took place where I’m visiting.

  29. What do I love most about Colorado? My family who lives there in Greeley, Brighton and Longmont. Always enjoy going there and seeing them and the beautiful landscapes. As soon as I walk out of the airport, I take a deep breath and inhale that lovely mountain air.

  30. I feel like cowboys speak to adventurous hearts!They have a hard and often dangerous job in places like Colorado that are still unencumbered by mountains of steel and cement. You can never have enough cowboy adventures!

  31. I have never been to Colorado but I enjoy reading about it and it’s rugged, hardworking cowboys.

  33. Thanks for sharing your photos of Colorado.
    We have lived in the San Luis Valley and Greeley and I have to agree beautiful visas and peace are never far away here.
    I Love stories about the west. Your story looks like a fun read.

  34. I’ve been to Colorado once before, it’s one of the most beautiful places. Reading your blog post makes me want to head back to the mountains for a visit.
    There’s a certain romance about the west that I can’t stop reading about. Thank you for your spectacular photos too.

  36. Gorgeous photos! Fun post! Hope all the traveling is relaxing and rejuvenating. 🙂

  39. My first trip to Colorado was in the mid 60’s.
    Fast forward to 50 years later.
    We visited all the places we did before. The only difference was there were more people around and the prices were much higher but the memories are still the same.

  40. thanks Jill for hosting today. Colorado is gorgeous. As a family we drove through about 25 years ago. And what we saw was wonderful. Thanks for sharing your pictures with us today. Makes me want to go back for another visit. This book looks wonderful. Thanks for sharing the give a way.

  41. I’ve never been to Colorado but imagine it’s beautiful there. As for cowboy heroes….what’s not to like about them?!?!

  42. Cannot wait to read this book! I’m starting read different love inspired books and this is another one I want to make sure to read!!

  43. Enjoy the blog !! Haven’t had a chance to read any of Jill’s books yet, but would love too !

  44. I love your pictures, Jill. Colorado is beautiful. I live in northern Utah, which looks much like your pictures of Colorado. We just see the other side of your mountains. 😀 Our valley is surrounded by mountains, so we can be driving in the canyon within 10 minutes.

    Your new book looks and sounds wonderful! Congratulations on its release!

  45. I, too, love Colorado—the wide open spaces, the sunsets, the weather, and of course, the mountains!

  46. We have visited Colorado several times. It is a beautiful place. The book sounds great.

  47. First…great post. I love the pictures and look forward to the book. I love Colorado. I know many people think of mountains and snow but I always think of sunshine. I love the Colorado Sunshine!

  48. Beautiful photos! I lived in Colorado Springs for a little while as a teenager. Sadly, I didn’t appreciate the beauty the way I should have. Would enjoy going back!

  51. The pictures that you shared are beautiful! I have never been to Colorado,so I will take your word on how much the way the mountains change how they look Day to Day.

  54. I, too, love Colorado. Drives in the mountains are wonderful and I get to appreciate God’s handiwork.

  55. I have never been to Colorado but I would love to go. Now the cowboys? I love a good cowboy hero. What’s not to love about a cowboy hero. I never liked “sissy” men. Lol! I’d rather them be a rugged cowboy.

  57. Thanks ft or sharing your t r up pictures. Have only been to the airport in Colorado. I should make it a destination rather than just a layover. It is beautiful

  58. Lived in Colorado most of my life and have been blessed to be able to travel and see many parts of it.

  59. I LOVE Colorado! The mountains and rushing mountain streams are my favorites!

  60. I love Colorado weather! It’s so different than where I grew up in Mississippi. The winters have some snow but not so much that it is a real bother. The summers are perfect for enjoying beautiful days of sunshine! I’m glad I live here in this beautiful state!!

  61. As a Nebraska girl I grew up visiting Colorado for our family vacations. Now my family is in the process of moving there soon! So excited to live there and explore Colorado on a new level! Looking forward to reading your books Jill after we get settled. Thanks for sharing your favorites about Colorado!

  62. I’ve always wanted to visit Colorado and these pictures just inspire me to travel there. Such a beautiful state.

  66. I loved seeing your pictures of Colorado. They were very pretty and your book looks really good.

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