Bullrider's wife's historical novel, Romancing the Widow by Davalynn Spencer.

By Davalyn Spencer

My recent release, Romancing the Widow, is the third in a 3-book historical series for Heartsong Presents. It tells the story of Martha Hutton, daughter of Caleb and Annie Hutton from book one. Interesting how I met these people.

A couple of years ago, another publisher sent out a call for historical Christmas novellas, so I wrote one set here in Cañon City, Colorado. This area is rich with history, from the 1800s buildings still lining Main Street to the aspen-flecked mountains and canyons around the town.

However, that publisher did not take the story.

Earlier I’d sold a novel to Heartsong Presents, and the editor wanted to know if I had a historical series in me. Well, I had the start of one, so I said yes, and the wheels started turning. I signed a 3-book contract and introduced myself to the Hutton family. The first, The Cowboy Takes a Wife, told how my characters Annie Whitaker and Caleb Hutton met in the fledgling Cañon City in 1860. Branding the Wrangler’s Heart explored the life of their son, Whit Hutton and his sweetheart, Livvy Hartman. By that time, Whit’s sister, Marti, needed her own book, and boy did I have fun with her story. Especially the hero, a dark and mysterious Colorado Ranger.

Research led me to a couple of modern-day, real-life rangers and the group’s history which you can read more about on their website. https://www.coloradoranger.org/index.php/history

Looking back over that year, I am amazed at how much better things turned out than I had hoped for—even in rejection. The Lord turned a “no thank you” into a “yes, please.”

He’s good at that.

Book blurb for Romancing the Widow:

Martha Stanton isn’t looking for love. The light went out of Martha's soul when her husband fell to a bullet in St. Louis. Now, back in her hometown of Cañon City, she's convinced she'll never know happiness again. Until she crosses paths with a darkly mysterious Colorado Ranger.
Haskell Jacobs has a mission. And the beautiful, flame-haired widow sure isn't it. But Martha is somehow mixed up in the crime that brought Haskell to the rough-and-tumble town…and soon, she's entangled in the lawman's heart. But the danger that lurks around them is all too real. Can they find strength and love in each other before it's too late?

Author bio:

Wife and mother of professional rodeo bullfighters, Davalynn Spencer began her writing journey in the national rodeo market and as a newspaper journalist, winning awards in both arenas. Today she continues to win acclaim with her inspirational western romance placing second in the 2014 Inspirational Reader’s Choice Awards, and finaling for the Selah Award and the Holt Medallion. Davalynn teaches writing at Pueblo Community College, and with her handsome cowboy, has three children and four grandchildren. They make their home on Colorado’s Front Range with a Queensland heeler named Blue. Connect with Davalynn online at www.davalynnspencer.com, www.Facebook.com/AuthorDavalynnSpencer.com and on Twitter @davalynnspencer.