Why Renewed Hope is Set in Montana

The setting of a book can be magical.

Who doesn’t like being transported to different places and worlds and even different eras?

The setting for Renewed Hope is just as exciting.

Montana is one of my favorite states to visit. It’s rich in cowboy and First American culture and traditions.

Since the Seven Tine Ranch Romance series deals with First American heroines, I chose Sophie Cayes to be a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Salish Kootenai on the Flathead Reservation in Pablo, Montana. I selected this location and tribe for two reasons:

• When my husband worked for Bonneville Power Administration as a liaison between BPA and tribes in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana, I traveled with him a couple of times to the Flathead Reservation for the River Honoring. The beauty and culture of the land became the perfect setting for Renewed Hope.
• There are many Peones in Eastern Washington, Idaho, and Montana and they are all related to French fur trappers who came from Canada and married Native Women. I knew Sophie had to be Salish Kootenai.

A Few Fun Facts

• The Flathead Indian Reservation is home to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes. The tribes are a combination of the Salish, the Pend d’Oreille, and the Kootenai.
• Of the approximately 7,753 enrolled tribal members, about 5,000 live on or near the reservation.
• Bitterroot Salish, Kootenai and Pend d’Oreilles tribes make up the Flathead Reservation.

After attending the River Honoring twice with my husband, I needed to go back for a research trip. My husband went with me. His patience and driving me around while I snapped photos were deemed a precious gift.

As a thank-you gift to him, we went up to the Hungry Horse Dam. He’d always wanted to see it. And I needed a place where a few characters could hide out. After seeing the area, I knew I had the perfect spot.

We drove around the lake, went to the Elmo Powwow Grounds, and drove routes my characters needed to take.

We tried to get into Glacier, but due to the massive post-Covid influx of visitors, we couldn’t without reservations. Perhaps another time.

I sure enjoyed my time in Montana.

For a chance to win a digital copy of Renewed Hope, tell me what you think about Montana. Share your thoughts in the comment section.

*Names will be randomly drawn on Friday. 

Stay tuned…next week you’ll meet Chad Davis!

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