About the Book

Book: The Bounty Hunter’s Surrender (Outlaw Hearts Book 2)

Author: KyLee Woodley

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: May 20, 2025

An expecting widow, a rugged bounty hunter, and a set of secrets that might shatter her fragile heart.

The death of Aubrey Willot’s wealthy but abusive husband left her with an unborn child, an empty chateau, and the last name of a criminal. When she learns he double-crossed a ruthless business associate, she’s forced to accept the protection of the handsome and daring bounty hunter tasked with finding her late husband’s fortune. Though Aubrey swore never to trust another man, she can’t help but be drawn to the bounty hunter’s rugged charm.

After a tragic mistake cost him everything, Nathan Reed spent years running from his past. Now, he needs funds to care for his orphaned niece, and quickly. The chance to retrieve a set of stolen documents offers an opportunity he can’t resist. He’ll find those papers and claim the reward, even if it means deceiving the alluring young widow.

As danger rises, Audrey’s strength, honesty, and compassion break down Nathan’s defenses, daring him to embrace a future he never imagined—a loving wife and a family of his own. But when his secrets are exposed, will his chance at redemption and Aubrey’s heart slip through his fingers?

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About the Author

KyLee Woodley is a cheery romantic who loves to write about bygone days and heartwarming romance with a pinch of adventure. She teaches preschool at a lab school in Texas, where she lives with her husband of eighteen years and their three teenage children. On weekends, KyLee cohosts and produces the Historical Bookworm Show, a steadily growing author interview podcast for history lovers and readers of historical fiction.

In her spare time, she cares for a rescue mutt—Lucky Dog—a feisty feline named Hazel, and three adorable Boston Terrier puppies. She listens to Cricket Country and K-Love radio, reads classic books with her children, and watches Marvel movies with her husband, who might resemble Superman.

More from KyLee

When I began writing The Bounty Hunter’s Surrender, I had little more than an idea for a pregnant widow and a kind yet wounded man who had some history as an outlaw. The series is called Outlaw Hearts, so someone had to have a history as a bad guy. At one point, Nathan Reed—the reluctant hero—wonders if he can be a “good man” and remembers the Bible verse that says, “Can a…leopard change its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil.” Jeremiah 13:23 (KJV). I have always thought this verse so sad. After all, it sounds like it’s saying, “If you have been doing evil, you cannot do good.” But, of course, we also know that “…if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV). So there is hope for Nathan!

As for Aubrey Willot, well, her spiritual journey is a little different. She has already started on it when the story opens, but her greatest challenge is overcoming the fear from her past and living in the hopeful present. During her time as an abused wife, she became someone different, and now she is getting back to who God wants her to be. Here is a glimpse of Aubrey’s psyche just a few weeks after she’d entered widowhood:

Aubrey dared not admit the freedom she felt since Louis’s death. She could choose her own dress without worrying about smirks, criticisms, or being told to change. She had the ability to take as much jam at the breakfast table as she pleased. On her first morning after Pa and Jesse had left, once the will was read and she learned she was the sole heir to Louis’s estate, she spread enough jam on toast to feed five people. Then, she’d cried.

Sad to think that anyone would ever have to reach a place where they feel the way Aubrey does in the beginning of her story, but worry not. Her happily ever after is a sure thing. If you would like to join Nathan and Aubrey on their way to falling in love.

Interview with the Author

What does success as an author look like to you?

I’m not sure how to measure success as an author—it’s not something I can define with numbers. With one published book, I consider myself successful. Not to boast, but I believe that God called me to write. I studied and worked hard to become a good writer, and when a publishing house offered me a contract, I fulfilled it. To me, and I believe to God, that’s success.

My goal is to do my best in every endeavor. Success is constant; even as I grow and improve, I remain successful. To fail is to do poorly or not try at all. There are many talented, gifted, and blessed authors whom I greatly admire. I hope we can all define success by consistently striving to be our individual best.

Which character did you connect to best in this book?

Aubrey is the character I connected with the most. She is a mother who shows tender, loving care for her children—something I can deeply relate to. Children are at such a unique and precious stage in their lives, and Aubrey feels a profound sense of awe and unconditional love not only for her daughter but also for the baby her husband conceived during an extramarital affair. At one point, Nathan confesses his fear that Aubrey would reject the baby, and she is taken aback, asking, “How could you believe I could ever hate a child?” Her deep reverence for life and her cherishing of an infant’s innocence shine through in this moment.

Which part of the book was the most difficult to write?

The most challenging part of this book was figuring out who the villain was and how to make him or her (not giving away spoilers) feel real. I didn’t initially know who the villain would be, but I eventually realized that for Nathan and Aubrey to truly have an ending where they overcome their struggles, yet need and rescue one another, the villain had to take on different forms for each of them.

What inspired this book?

There isn’t a single thing that inspires this book, per se. The creation and inspiration for this story come from a combination of many elements. In Book 1, as part of the backstory for Jesse (the hero in The Bandit’s Redemption), my then 12-year-old daughter and I were looking at a book, Camera Eye on Idaho: Pioneer Photography, 1863-1913. Lilly was learning about character development in school. She said the photograph element was good, but that it needed to matter to the main character—like it was something he used to do with someone really special to him. I thought that was great insight, so we brainstormed about who this person could be. Would it be a man or woman? Someone dead or alive? We eventually came up with a sister who is struggling.

I added the element of her having the wound of surviving an abusive relationship. I didn’t realize she was pregnant until the end of Book 1.

As for Nathan, I needed a man with some criminal element in his life. I don’t even know how I came up with the idea that he would have an adopted daughter. I think it was simply something the story needed.

Which author influenced you the most?

Mary Connealy’s testimony of how she wrote for ten years in obscurity after returning from teaching people who were earning their GEDs gave me hope that I might someday see my own works in print. If you haven’t heard Mary’s story, I highly recommend reading it here.

What is your favorite Bible verse or life verse?

Today, it is: “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36 NIV.) I am privileged to live with freedom and safety, but like everyone, I face challenges in life. Two people close to me are dealing with health issues, and as I think of them throughout my day and pray for them, the verse above echoes in my mind through the song linked here.

What is your vacation spot?

Wherever my family is, and wherever I can visit historical places, I feel at home. I love exploring local history, going on walking tours, and scouring libraries for obscure events to weave into my books—like the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, which is mentioned in Books 1 and 2 of the Outlaw Hearts series.

Curiously, I was speaking with an acquaintance from Germany who shared that his great-grandfather fought in the Franco-Prussian War, his grandfather served in World War I, and his father in World War II. He remarked that it was a running joke in their family that his great-grandfather was the last to fight in a war Germany actually won. This completely amazes me—I was speaking with someone who had a personal connection to a veteran of the Franco-Prussian War!