09/20/2017
Prescott, Montana: Established 2017
While I was brainstorming ideas for The Coppersmith Farmhouse and the Jamison Valley series, one thing I knew I wanted was to write the story’s setting in small-town Montana. Born and raised in Montana, I’ve always had a deep love for my state and its rugged beauty.
But which town to pick? As the fourth largest state, Montana spans a lot of miles and, though it’s vast, the population is one of the smallest in the country, topping just over a million people. That equates to just about seven people per square mile. The largest county in Montana is as big as the entire state of Connecticut. So, as you can imagine, I had a lot of small-town inspiration to pull from!
In the end, I decided to create the fictional town of Prescott in the Jamison Valley, also fictional. Although Prescott is just a figment, its image was heavily influenced by the real-life town of Ennis.
Ennis, my dad’s hometown, was the focal point for many of my childhood memories. Our family took mountain hikes to pick wildflowers. I learned how to row a canoe on Ennis Lake. In the summers, my parents spoiled me with an enormous Oreo milkshake and double bacon cheeseburger at the old-fashioned soda fountain café.
Those places and experiences stuck with me so clearly that, when I started writing, I knew they had to be a part of my fictional town. Thus, Prescott was born.
Now, if you’ve read The Coppersmith Farmhouse, you may be questioning some of the scene settings. Would a town so small really have a pawn shop? A police station? A hospital? Really? I promise I haven’t gone off my rocker. Towns like Prescott do exist.
Depending on location, small towns in Montana provide a lot of local services for the townsfolk and outlying residents. The nearest “city” can be hours and hundreds of miles away, so places like Ennis (and fictional Prescott) have a lot to offer.
The beauty of this distance between metropolises—and I use that term loosely—is it gives nurses and sexy sheriffs the opportunity to settle in a small town and share in the community bond. Plus, it gives me lots of inspiration for story settings! In the second Jamison Valley book, The Clover Chapel, I’ll introduce you to a one-room theater and a good ole Montana steakhouse.
You’ll see a lot of my favorite Ennis-inspired places pop up throughout all five novels in the Jamison Valley series, but The Coppersmith Farmhouse definitely gives you a good feel for the small-town Montana life that I’ve always admired.
Remember, Prescott is fictional and I’ve conjured up some places you won’t find anywhere except the Jamison Valley. But if you’re ever planning a trip to Montana, be sure to add Ennis to your itinerary. You won’t regret the stop!
Pauline said:
I have really enjoyed the Jamison Valley series. I love reading books that you just can’t put down, and feel a bit sad that you have finished yet another book, it’s always bittersweet when coming to the end of such a good read. The only good thing when reading a series, is that you know another story is about to unfold in the next book.
Why did you say that the promos for “Bitterroot Inn” is the last book in the series? As you have introduced Bryce in “The Outpost” surely she could come home to Bozeman to take over her father’s newspaper, where she meets up with Sabrina who can introduce her to Michael. I am hoping that there’s yet another story waiting to unfold.
I love your style of writing.
Thank you for the escape.
devneyperry said:
Thank you, Pauline! At this point, all I’m planning to write are five books set in Prescott. But Bryce and many of the other secondary characters are prime candidates for spin-offs!
Heidi said:
Hi Devney,
Do you have any plans for Pax and Khloe? I feel like we need more. I just love this series.
devneyperry said:
Hi Heidi!
I am planning on giving them a book, but I’m not exactly sure when. Likely 2018 or 2019. Great question!
Amy said:
I just found you and this phenomenal series. I am listening to the series (the first 3 books) on audio and can’t wait for the last two! I live in a town of 855 in the middle of Iowa and I absolutely love reading books with small towns.
devneyperry said:
Hi Amy! Thank you so much! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the audiobooks. The other two will be out in audio in early 2018.
Lisa said:
I really loved the Jamison Valley series. I’ve reread it twice while getting ready for the last two books to come out. It’s like spending the week with old friends. And now that it’s over, i can see myself rereading just because it’s delightful.
devneyperry said:
What a compliment! Thank you so much Lisa!
Bill said:
I can’t get The Bitterroot Inn and The Lucky Heart through iBooks.
Read the other three, The Outpost twice. These are “moving” stories by a great author.
Will buy hardback if necessary, but prefer them on my iPhone.
Any options?
devneyperry said:
This series is currently in Kindle Unlimited for a short time, meaning it is only available on Amazon until early March due to their program requirements. Sorry for the inconvenience! But these will be available again early next year on Apple Books. Long story short – I’m changing providers and had to take them down to make my switch. Because of that, I wanted to offer them up to KU readers for a short time. I hope that answers your question. Again, I’m sorry for the hassle. And thank you for reading!
Jay said:
I love the Jamison valley series I grew up in a small town in Africa though not America the series touched on a lot of scenarios I experienced growing up like the men gossip group and the genuinely loving families finding love and growing their families. Thank you for the nostalgia.
devneyperry said:
Thank you so much!