When author Tracie Peterson opens her latest novel with a gunfight at a wedding, you know you're in for something different from the typical historical romance. In our recent LiteraryScape podcast interview, Peterson shared the compelling story behind Designed with Love, the second book in her Hope of Cheyenne series, and gave us a glimpse into the heart of her storytelling craft. A Shocking Beginning Designed with Love doesn't ease readers into the story—it plunges them headfirst into drama. Set in the late 1880s, the novel opens in Texas at what should be a joyful wedding. Emma Johnson, our spirited protagonist, is about to marry Tommy Benton when tragedy strikes. A young woman bursts in, kills Emma's fiancé, and accidentally shoots Emma in the process before taking her own life. "It's not typical to have a gunfight at a wedding opening your book," Peterson acknowledges, "but it was necessary for my characters." This traumatic event becomes the catalyst for Emma's spiritual journey. Lying in a hospital bed, terrified of dying, Emma—who once told her mother she didn't want to be a Christian because "they didn't have fun"—finally opens her heart to faith through the loving intervention of her stepmother. Characters That Capture Hearts While Emma's transformation from fun-loving rebel to woman of faith forms the emotional core of the story, Peterson reveals that one of her favorite characters is Rosie, the sister of Tommy's older brother Colton. Rosie has learning disabilities and has been hidden away by her family, told she's incapable of learning anything. "Rosie has no filters," Peterson explains with obvious affection. "She just says things that the rest of us would filter... sometimes I wish I could perform without filters. I think we all have those moments." Emma becomes Rosie's advocate and teacher, helping her discover abilities no one believed she possessed. "She starts learning how to sew and then she wants to cook and then she wants to ride a horse and then she sees a piano and wants to learn," Peterson shares. "It's everything at once." This character was inspired by Peterson's own family member who was born with the umbilical cord wrapped around their neck and told doctors not to bother trying to teach them. "She's kind of a culmination of the spirit of, 'I'm gonna get this done. You watch me' that I find in my family." The Art of Forgiveness Throughout our conversation, Peterson emphasized one of the central themes woven through all her novels: forgiveness. "Forgiving is always a key issue in my books because I've had to be forgiven a lot and I've had to forgive a lot," she reflects. "I think everybody has. And I think it's something that universally we can all relate to." This theme proves especially relevant as Emma navigates her new life in Cheyenne, Wyoming, supported by Colton, who has loved her from afar but never spoke up while she was engaged to his brother. Rich Historical Details Peterson's research into 1880s Cheyenne brings authentic historical texture to the story. She consulted with members of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association about ranching and spoke with railroad experts about the Union Pacific's expansion through the territory. The novel incorporates real historical elements, including the construction of Cheyenne's beautiful red sandstone depot during this pivotal period when Wyoming was achieving statehood. "Cheyenne is just a fascinating place. Wyoming has a lot of really neat occurrences," Peterson notes, explaining how she draws from both the early formation period of the late 1860s in her Heart of Cheyenne series and the later development era of the 1880s-90s in the Hope of Cheyenne books. What's Next Readers won't have to wait long to continue the journey—all three books in the Hope of Cheyenne series are releasing in 2025, with A Constant Love having debuted in March and Designed with Love arriving in July. Peterson is already working on her next series, set in 1870s Minneapolis, which will follow three generations of women united by their heart for helping the homeless, displaced, and orphaned. "It's going to be a generational story," she explains, spanning from grandmother to granddaughter across the three books, all scheduled for release in 2026. Connect with Tracie Peterson Readers can find Peterson at tracypeterson.com, where they can sign up for her newsletter and send messages. She's also active on Facebook as Author Tracie Peterson and can be reached through Bethany House Publishers. Designed with Love promises to be a perfect summer read—a story that combines historical authenticity, compelling characters, and timeless themes of redemption and second chances. Sometimes the most beautiful love stories begin in the most unexpected ways, even with a gunfight at a wedding. Designed with Love releases in July 2025 as part of the Hope of Cheyenne series from Bethany House Publishers.