Writing an Outlaw Hero ~ Julie Lence

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    I began my career of writing western romance many years ago. The first book I wrote (and had published) was Luck of the Draw. The heroine in the story is Paige. Throughout the story, Paige believes her sister is dead, but has the shock of her life when Missy shows up on her doorstep. Very much alive, Missy has spent two summers searching for Paige, and as I developed Missy’s character, I realized that she needed help finding Paige, and who better to help her than an outlaw. Buck Grayson was so much fun to write, because in this story, and again when he appears in Lady Luck, unlike the hero, he is free to act and speak in the unruly and crude manner most of us depict an outlaw.  As Lady Luck came to an end, I had an inkling in the back of my mind that Buck needed his own story. It wasn’t until a few years later when I decided to create a new series that I went back to Buck, but as I honed in on the fictional town of Revolving Point that I created in Luck of the Draw, I kept wondering if Buck was hero material.
        In Luck of the Draw and Lady Luck, Buck is hard and unyielding. He’s temperamental, deadly accurate with a gun, and speaks without thinking, not caring who he offends. He trusts no one. Even worse, he likes no one… except Missy… and Suzanna, one of the girls who works for Missy.  Aha! Somewhere deep inside, Buck did have heart and soul. The all important questions I had to deduce is why did Buck abandon the good inside of him, and could Suzanna soften him enough to make readers warm up to him?  
        As in most movies, television shows, and books, there’s a reason why the villain is cold-hearted. Buck was no exception, so I sat down and slowly started to unravel him by asking him easy questions; where did you grow up? Do you have siblings? Do you dress in black because that’s your favorite color? As he answered, he began to open up more about himself, how he had sisters and adored them… how his parents were honest, hard-working people… the awful afternoon when his world shattered… how something inside took a shine to Missy, and not in a romantic way… how Suzanna wormed her way inside his heart with her outrageous flirting… how she became more important to him than his own life… And luckily, I was able to convey his goodness and weaknesses to the reader, but I wasn’t done. I had two more stories in that series to write, and again I had to sit down and dig deep in to Roth’s background and into Gage’s background, find out what made them tick, why they chose to strap on a gun, too. For some reason, Roth wanted to open right away and let me know he’d do anything for his sister. Gage took a bit of persuasion, most likely because he didn’t want to live his life in a prison cell for something he didn’t do, disappointing his family and the woman he loved.
      The more I learned about my outlaws, the more I realized that circumstances beyond their control forced each of them into a life of crime, a life they never would have chosen. But, as rough and ruthless as they were on the outside, the softer they were on the inside, and the love of a good woman didn’t necessarily change them. Rather it soothed an ache deep inside because someone actually took the time to understand the bad and accept it, to care.

Revolving Point, Texas is my 2^nd series and you can find each book on Amazon. Just follow the links below.

Zanna’s Outlaw https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006XJWW08

Lydia’s Gunslinger https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007873DIE

Debra’s Bandit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0095IG390 

Landry ~ By: Julie Lence

 I’m happy to announce my new release, Landry, Book 2 in the Jackson Creek Series.

www.amazon.com/dp/B08FHC2JNH

 

Landry Barlow’s gambling and outlawing has garnered him the reputation of a menace, and a handful of enemies. But in sleepy Jackson Creek, his foremost concern isn’t someone gunning for him. His brother wants him to trade his saloon for a homestead, partner with him outfitting the army with horses. Raised in a bordello by a mother who valued her parlor more than him and deceived by another, Landry isn’t sure he’s meant to put down roots. But then, Nadine puts her faith in him and something inside awakens.

Camped for the night along the trail to western Texas, Nadine Harper’s father loses his footing in a gopher hole and breaks his leg. Nadine gets him to the nearest town, but the only business with a light glowing is the saloon. Swallowing her qualms, she barges inside the watering hole and freezes at the glint in the eyes of the heavily-muscled man barreling down on her. But when he loses his steeliness to take charge of her father, she’s swept up in the tingles peppering her skin. Dangerous and handsome, Landry is a man worth knowing.

                           

Excerpt:

“Spent some time on a Mississippi riverboat. Learned to waltz.” Landry glanced around the room. “Not a lot of space in here, but it’ll do.” He took her hand in his, set their feet moving in a square pattern.

“I know this waltz.” Nadine smiled. “Pa taught me at one of Mr. Smith’s barn dances.” She kept pace with him around the L-shaped area before the stove and sink.

“Who’d you dance with besides your pa?”

“Mr. Smith. Sometimes the sheriff.”

“Anyone your age?”

“No. I’ve never had a suitor.”

“You do now.” His blue eyes bore into her and her pulse quickened. “I’m a gambler and an outlaw. Not many folks cotton to that. If you do, you’ll be mine until you leave Jackson Creek.”

He pulled her flush against him and Nadine gasped.

“Before you say anything, some things you should know. I tolerate lies at the poker tables. They’re part of the game. I don’t tolerate lies away from the tables.”

“A-all right.” She shivered, and stepped out of his embrace.

“I grew up in a bordello. Ma was the owner. I know all about working girls, have Patsy and two more in my employ. I don’t mistreat them and I won’t mistreat you.” He caressed her cheek and some of her unease lessoned. “Won’t let anyone else hurt you, either.”

“Are you telling me this to scare me away? Or because you think I’ll lie to you?”

“Neither. Just want you to know who I am before you agree to let me kiss you again.” His fingers shifted to cup her jaw bone, squeezed gently. “I will kiss you again.”

I hope so! “If I promise to be truthful, do you promise the same?”

“I promise to tell you what you need to know. Some things aren’t safe for you to keep secret.”

Huh?

“I’ve got enemies. Men who wouldn’t think twice to hurt you if they thought you could lead them to me. The less you know, the better.”

Can I not ask about the photograph?

 

***

Bonus:

If you haven’t read Book 1 in the series, check out Slade. He needs a place to hide until tempers calm, and although Jill’s barn looks to crumble down upon him any moment, it’s better than nothing.

www.amazon.com/dp/B072Z13YRK

Excerpt:

“I’m sorry, darlin’. I’d never hurt you.” He hugged her tight. “I was out prowlin’ for your intru―coyote. Didn’t see you leave the house. Heard you open the barn door and…” he crushed her closer to his thick chest of muscle.

Cocooned in his arms, feeling his heart beat as erratic as hers, she slid her arms around his waist and held tight to him. Took comfort in the heat of his body seeping through her thin robe and nightgown into her skin. After a spell, her heartbeat eased, but her pulse continued to race. Slade was a big man. She remembered thinking he could crush a body. Or hold a woman tenderly. She couldn’t attest to her first thought, but the second was true. He held her gently, and with care.

Mmmm, she closed her eyes and savored the feel of his sinew. To fall asleep nestled against him and wake up in the same fashion… to taste his kisses and have him bestow on her the same reverence from this afternoon…

She snapped her eyes open, caught him staring down at her. With the aid of the moonlight shining behind her, she noted the stubble along his jaw, but the expression in his gaze was unreadable.

“Your trembles have ceased.” He grinned wickedly. “Let’s disturb them again.”

Without warning, he shifted her to sit upright, rested a large, calloused palm against her cheek and lowered his head, touched his lips to hers. Bright lights exploded behind her eyes. Moisture dampened her palms, and when she kissed him back, her trembles returned. The kind that robbed a girl of breath and made her heart sing. The kind that made her feel special. Wanted.

Excitement over these new sensations shimmied down her spine. But fast on its heels was scorn for her wanton behavior and a sobering truth. She pushed away from him, scrambled off his lap and ran for the door.

“Jill!” His voice cracked like a whip as he grabbed her elbow, halting her escape. “If you don’t like my kiss, say so. You don’t have to run away.”

“I…” she swallowed hard, felt her eyes mist. “Camille’s who you want to kiss. You settle for me because she’s sick.”

 

To learn more about me and my books, or to see my recommendations,  connect with me here:

Website: www.julielence.com

Facebook page: https://facebook.com/#!/JulieLence

Twitter: https://twitter.com/julielence

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/julie-lence

 

 

 

Lawman or Outlaw?

 In the aftermath of the Civil War, countless men found themselves jobless, homeless, and without families. Many headed west in search of new lives. Some hunted for gold, some set down new roots, some became cowboys, and some, those skilled with firearms, chose to become gunfighters. 

The line between being a lawman, an outlaw, or somewhere in between such as a bounty hunter or hired gun, was fine. Some men crossed that line back and forth. Tom Horn found acclaim as a hired gun, and it was also why he was hanged. Wyatt Earp walked on both sides of that line as well. So did many others. Grat, Bob, and Emmett Dalton were all lawmen before they formed the Dalton Gang.

The west was raw, unclaimed, with few laws, fewer courts and little to no government. But others were heading west too, setting down roots and they wanted law and order. That was easier said than done. Most towns or territories couldn’t afford to pay lawmen, so salaries were often a percentage of the fines paid by those arrested and/or bounties collected on wanted men. For those who might have been paid a salary, it was often very low and they also were charged with keeping the streets clean of debris, responsible for taking the national census, and distributing governmental proclamations. 

Unlike Matt Dillion on Gunsmoke, few men made a ‘career’ out of being a lawman, however, as writers, writing fiction, we can utilize Matt’s honor and longevity while creating our own lawmen.

My next book, In the Sheriff’s Protection, will go on sale April 1^st. 

He will protect her

But can the sheriff resist his forbidden desire?

Oak Grove sheriff Tom Baniff might be hunting Clara Wilson’s criminal husband, but that doesn’t mean he won’t help protect Clara and her young son from the outlaw’s deadly threats. When he invites Clara to his hometown, Tom is determined to keep her safe. But with her so close, can he resist the allure of the only woman he’s ever wanted?

5 Little known Shooters by Paty Jager

I tend to write villains into my historical western romances and therefore am always on the lookout for a good bad guy to use as a model for my fictional characters. Here are five real bad guys I came across in my research.

purchased canstock photo

1) Clay Allison - Born in 1840 in Tennessee. He started out as a dirt farmer but the Civil War changed his future. During the war he learned how to kill and became skillful at it. He enjoyed "scouting" or spying as it mainly was during that war. During his scouting he was caught. The night before he was to be shot, he killed a guard and escaped. He was known for an erratic mental condition due to a head wound from his youth. The Tennessee Light Artillery said he was suicidal and discharged him after one year.  He hired on with Loving and Goodnight in Texas. On a trail drive, they passed a small town and Allison rode down main street wearing only his sombrero, boots and gun belt after drinking too much. When the sheriff tried to arrest him he started shooting, scaring the lawman. He went on to be one of the most psychotic, deranged gunmen that ever lived.

2) John Larn - Came from Alabama, drifted to Colorado tried to "borrow" a horse and was caught. He killed the cattleman objecting. Two months later he shot the lawman arresting him. In Texas he hired out on a cattle drive. He killed three men and tossed them in the Pecos. On the return trip he had problems with the trail boss and took several other unhappy drovers through the camp causing havoc. Seven men were wounded and two killed. He eventually hired on with another ranch and married the owners daughter. Around his wife he was a gentleman and never killed anyone. There were wars between the grangers and the cattle barons.In 1876 Larn was twenty-five years old and elected as sheriff. He hung many rustlers and cleaned up the area. Then he and a partner started rustling themselves and killed hired hands to prevent having to pay them. He made himself the least liked lawman in Shackleford, Texas. Two years after becoming sheriff, he was gunned down while locked in his own jail.

3) Bass Outlaw - He was five-foot four and fully dressed and armed, he weighed one hundred and fifty pounds. He was a Texas Ranger for being of short stature. He was a nice fellow, who could ride harder and cuss harder than any other ranger. He was also known for being sympathetic, tender and patient when the need arose. But he had one flaw. He couldn't leave liquor alone.When he drank he was a homicidal maniac.

4) Pearl Hart - Born around 1871 in Ontario, Canada. She left home at seventeen. She took up with a young miner who didn't believe in working hard. Pearl would lure men into her room and her miner would hit them over the head and take their cash. When this didn't get them the amount of money they wanted, they started robbing stage coaches. Pearl cut her hair and wore men's clothing. They were as bad at robbing stages as they had been luring men into her room. They made one heist of about $400. But after they took off, they became lost and ended up not far from the robbery and were captured by the posse. Pearl told a tale story of a sick mother and that's why she needed the money and the jury released her. The judge didn't like that and had her rearrested for carrying a gun.She spent a limited time in jail, convincing the courts she was pregnant. The only men she'd spent time with alone were a clergyman and a governor. They gave her a discreet pardon and asked her leave Arizona.  She was arrested around the country for pick pocketing and prostitution. She also rode in the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show. She lived to be ninety after marrying a rancher.

5) Jack Slade - Born in Carlyle, Illinois, he served in the Mexican War.  After the war, he worked as a trouble shooter for the Overland Stage. He was short, round, and schizophrenic. He married a pretty girl. Jack worked, fought, and drank with enthusiasm. Slade was sent to take care of a man who had stolen company horses. In the shootout he stopped thirteen slugs. He lived after a long convalescence. He offered $500 to anyone who brought in the man who shot him. Four cowboys brought the man in. Slade tied him up to a post and started shooting his legs and arms while swigging whiskey. When the man passed out from the pain, Slade put the barrel in the man's mouth and pulled the trigger. Then he cut off the man's ears and wore them on his watch fob for years. HIs drinking became a problem and after sending the Virginia City milk wagon over a steep hill while drunk, a vigilante group strung him up. When his wife arrived she claimed the body, dipped him in alcohol and sent him to Salt Lake City to be buried in a Mormon grave site.

There are bits and pieces from each of these real-life people that gives me fodder for villains in my westerns. How about you?  Have your read a book about or watched a movie that the villains could have come from one of these?

Paty Jager is an award-winning author of 25+ novels and over a dozen novellas and short stories of murder mystery, western historical romance, and action adventure. She has a RomCon Reader’s Choice Award for her Action Adventure and received the EPPIE Award for Best Contemporary Romance. Her first mystery was a finalist in the Chanticleer Mayhem and Mystery Award and is a finalist in the RONE Award Mystery category.  This is what readers have to say about the Letters of Fate series- “...filled with romance, adventure and twists and turns.” “What a refreshing and well written love story of fate and hope!”

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Source: A Gallery of Notorious Gunmen From the American West: The Shooters by Leon Claire Metz