FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Debut Novel “Gold Miner’s Daughter: Cold Justice on the Last Frontier” Now Available at Major Retailers; Series Continues with Two New Titles
Conroe, Texas — March 2026 — Defiance Press & Publishing, the independent hybrid publisher known for championing voices mainstream publishers overlook, today announced a two-book deal with author Rick Steeby, extending his Wyatt Peoples mystery series. The agreement follows the successful launch of Steeby’s debut novel, Gold Miner’s Daughter: Cold Justice on the Last Frontier, now available at all major retailers including Amazon (https://amzn.to/4bq0glR), Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and indie bookstores worldwide.
About Gold Miner’s Daughter
Set in 1960 against the frozen wilderness of Chicken, Alaska, Gold Miner’s Daughter follows drifting cowboy Wyatt Peoples — fresh from the Korean War and seeking refuge in the goldfields near the Canadian border. When Wyatt stumbles into a web of murder and greed, he finds unexpected purpose working for the captivating Amy Crockett and her mining family. But when Amy’s brother is found murdered and Wyatt becomes the prime suspect, he must use his law enforcement background to clear his name and protect the woman who’s stolen his heart.
As winter closes in and violence escalates in the tight-knit mining community, Wyatt discovers that in Alaska’s last frontier, everyone carries a gun, and justice often comes with the pull of a trigger.
Fans of The Cold Dish by Craig Johnson, Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger, and Winter Study by Nevada Barr will find a compelling new voice in Steeby’s gripping debut.
The New Deal: The Wyatt Peoples Series Continues
The newly signed two-book agreement will bring readers two more adventures with Wyatt Peoples. The next installment, Double Sided Coin, is already in development, with a third, as-yet-untitled entry to follow. Both books will continue the series’ signature blend of frontier justice, compelling characters, and the rugged beauty of the Alaskan wilderness.
What Publishing Director Lisa Woodward Is Saying
“Rick Steeby is the real deal — and I mean that literally. He spent years in law enforcement in Alaska, and that authenticity bleeds through every page of his Wyatt Peoples series. Readers don’t just feel the cold of the Alaskan wilderness. They feel the weight of justice in a place where the rules are still being written. That’s not something you can fake, and it’s exactly why his books are becoming fan favorites.
What also sets Rick apart is how he shows up for his readers beyond the page. He’s built real relationships with local Alaskan retailers and is working directly with the Alaska Railroad to get his books in front of the audiences who will love them most. That’s the kind of smart, grassroots marketing that actually moves books — and it’s a testament to how much he believes in his stories. We’re proud to be his publishing home for the next chapter.”
— Lisa Woodward, Publishing Director, Defiance Press & Publishing
About Rick Steeby
Rick Steeby is a former law enforcement officer whose years of service in Alaska inform the authenticity and grit of his Wyatt Peoples mystery series. Drawing on firsthand knowledge of the state’s remote communities, rugged landscape, and frontier justice, Steeby brings a rare credibility to his fiction. He is an active supporter of Alaskan independent retailers and has partnered with the Alaska Railroad to bring his books to readers across the state.
About Defiance Press & Publishing
Defiance Press & Publishing is a hybrid publisher with a mission: to publish the voices mainstream publishers reject. With 18 years of industry expertise behind Publishing Director Lisa Woodward — a multipublished, bestselling author in her own right — Defiance Press has helped countless debut authors become bestsellers. The press is committed to listening to every voice, offering professional editing, design, marketing support, and author platform training, all while giving authors the creative control and royalty rates they deserve.
Gold Miner’s Daughter is available now at all major retailers.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4bq0glR
Media Contact:
Lisa Woodward, Publishing Director
Defiance Press & Publishing
www.DefiancePress.com
# # #
