Book 1 - Cowboys, outlaws and vengeance

 Welcome, welcome, welcome! 

Thank you for joining me on the journey from historical romance story idea all the way to the completed novel. I'm writing my debut novel, and it's going to be the first novel in a series of 6 set in the fictional town of Mercy, Texas, somewhere near Dallas starting in 1888. 

Synopsis

When the novel begins, Gabriel Henderson has just returned home from 6 years away. He went to become a hero but came back a man haunted by his past, and the last thing he expected was to find his neighbour, and former lover, living in his house when he returned. But as soon as he sees Lillian Marshall his heart beats fast and he knows there is still love between them.

But Lillian runs, shocked that Gabriel's ghost has returned. After an enigmatic chase around the yard, Lillian's legs buckle and Gabriel hefts her inside like a bag of potatoes, much to Lillian's disgust. Despite her shock at seeing him, and her anger at his past betrayal, Lillian hides her feelings for him from herself and him, acting the fish wife in the hopes she won't fall into a panic attack in front of him. 

Gabriel attempts to rekindle their love, only to receive hatred from Lillian, but he knows something doesn't add up, and until he figures out what it is, he's going to remind her what they once had - even if it was only the one blissful night. 

Overcoming Vengeance

Over the course of the book Gabriel and Lillian must face their past mistakes and overcome the vengeance that builds within them. For Lillian that means forgiving Gabriel for the things he did to her, albeit unknowingly as it turns out. For Gabriel, that means facing off against a group of outlaws come to town to terrorise the people and make trouble for him and Lillian. Once he realises who is behind this band of criminals Gabriel must decide whether to fight by himself as he's always done, or let Lillian and his friends help him overcome the biggest challenge to his life, and Lillian's. 

Friendships Abound

Along with Lillian and Gabriel, we get to know Lillian's older brothers; Josh (the eldest) and Dru (the middle child). Josh has his own agenda when Gabriel returns, in the guise of protecting Lillian's virtue, however he soon realises that Gabriel is not the enemy and once again returns to the mantle of friendship they had before Gabriel left town. 

Dru is the kindest of the three Marshall's, using his intelligence to win the day where Josh and Lillian are hot tempered and often cause more problems than they solve. He's looked over his sister while Gabriel was away and believes that they must reunite and become a proper couple if they are to succeed. His encouragement helps soothe Lillian's long held recriminations, while it prompts Gabriel to protect Lillian and help her see him as the man he wants to be, not the broken man returned from war. 

Along with her brothers, Lillian relies on her new friend, and the new seamstress in town, Charlotte Edwards. Charlotte's sudden friendship when Lillian has been ostracised and critised by the township for years feels wrong, but the woman's kindness breaks down Lillian's walls, and suddenly Charlotte's influence and Gabriel's return have turned her life around. 

At the ranch is also Gabriel's trusted Ranch Hand, Miguel, who has been with the family since Gabriel's father and he fought alongside each other in the War Between the States. He's the father figure Gabriel is missing and he's the friend and lieutenant Gabriel knows he can always rely on. Additionally, Miguel has a soft spot for Lillian and stands up to Gabriel when one of their fights spills over into the yard. 

Also at the ranch is Mrs Vasquez, the family's housekeeper and the only friend Lillian had for several years. No one knows where the 'Mrs' came from as she's never mentioned a husband, but Mrs Vasquez has a soft spot for Miguel and Lillian knows they've had something going on between them for years. Lillian loves everything about the woman, except the fact that her cooking is so good it could never hold a candle to her own meals. 

The township

Mercy is a fictional Texas town during the time of the American Frontier and all the Wild West fun that comes with it. Imagine a place with wooden buildings and a wooden boardwalk along each side of the dusty main road, filled with horses and wagons. Picture a General Store, and it's eccentric owner, a newspaper, a saloon (watch out for this one in book 2 and 4), a bathhouse, a seamstresses shop and a tea house. Imagine a group of status minded women and men who rule the town, that know nothing of the ways of cowboys and outlaws and who need to be saved by the actions of Gabriel and Lillian. 

Will Gabriel and Lillian finally be celebrated by the town? Or do past rumours threaten to keep them ostracised forever? 

And for Book 2? 

I'm just starting work on the second book in the series which will also take place in Mercy. But this time we have Eamonn and Violet, both new to Mercy. Eamonn is in hiding from his former boss and Violet has become the new school teacher. She brings with her two stepchildren who don't like her very much, and an embarrassing virginity caused by an ex-husband who was too old and too sick to actually consummate the marriage. So when Eamonn turns up out of nowhere while she's bathing and steals a kiss, she's overcome with a curiosity and a longing she can't comprehend, but wants to act on. Eamonn, likewise, is drawn to the red headed beauty he found half naked, and despite knowing he should move on or be caught, stays in town long enough to get to know her. 

What happens next? That's what we'll discover together as Eamonn and Violet get to know Gabriel, Lillian, Charlotte, Dru and Josh. 

So, who's intrigued by Gabriel and Lillian's adventures? Who is rooting for Eamonn and Violet? Let me know in the comments.