I love the cover for my May release. This is the 7th story in my Cowboys of Eden Valley series.

I am enjoying writing this series especially as it takes place in my own stomping grounds. I’ve also enjoyed the research.

Here are some tidbits you might find interesting:

The western territories of Canada were vast grasslands in the 1800s and were leased for ranching under the following conditions (list not complete-just what interested me): Leases  were for a period of 21 years, to be stocked at the rate of one head per 10 acres within 3 years. Leases not to exceed 100,000 acres, the lessee had the privilege of purchasing land covered by the lease on which to construct buildings at $1.25 per acre but this land was not to exceed five per cent of the area of the lease., rent was $10/year for each thousand acres.

The estimated costs of stocking and living on a lease: $10,500 for livestock. $2500 for buildings, corrals and equipment.  $3000 for incidental expenses. $165 for lease and homestead of 100 acres. Total: $15, 765.

No wonder they needed bunch of investors.

In a story about the MCC Ranche, the owner, Col. H. F. Strange set out to start his ranch. He hired two Blackfoot Indians from the nearby reserve to help him build a log shack. While the men cut trees from a wooded island in the Bow River and fashioned a crude house, their wives cut poles and grass for the roof and chinked the cabin with mud. The original log shack was inadequate for a home for his family. They drew up house plans and sent them east where they were turned into a prefabricated house—right down to the window sills. The men assembled it like a puzzle. The two story, nine room, terra cotta colored house was christened Strangmuir. The Crowfoot chief was welcomed for tea but no lesser rank.

And I found this list of supplies needed for a winter:

600 lbs flour, 100 lbs sugar, 100 lbs oatmeal, 25 lb. coffee, 50 lbs. Salt, 1 10 lb box of each dried apples, dried peaches, dried apricots, dried prunes, 2 kegs salt herring, Matches and Coal oil.

I hope you enjoy yet another Eden Valley story.