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.
My Impressions
“How long would she feel the sting of his betrayal? How long must she atone for his sins?”
Poor Aubrey Willot, pregnant, young widow of criminal French transplant Louis Willot. Kylee Woodlee draws her MC in such a way I couldn’t help but care about her as I read The Bounty Hunter’s Surrender. We have been transported back to 1875 near the Barbary Coast region of San Francisco. Having married for love, young Aubrey soon discovers that she is only a trophy wife, neglected, cheated on, and abused by her crime-inclined husband. With his death, she is free to occupy the lovely chateau near San Francisco that he built for her wedding present, then denied her access to, most of their marriage.
We meet bounty hunter Nathan Reed as he is searching Aubrey’s chateau for papers for a large bank manager, Ellsworth, who though he runs in high social circles, is known by some as one whose hands are as dirty as they come. Nathan’s complicated feelings for Aubrey start with seeing her, so pregnant, alone,and vulnerable that night for the first time.
As Aubrey attempts to set right her late husband’s estate at the large San Francisco bank, she simultaneously has to deal with the sudden visit of her vicious, controlling, French mother-in-law. Since Nathan is visiting Aubrey at the time, and Aubrey feels a safety connection, he is hired by Madame Willot to spy on Aubrey under the pretense of keeping her safe. May I say, “Cherchez la femme!”
From here, the tension builds as Aubrey struggles with whom to trust. Nathan seems safe, but she finds him not always truthful. He wins points for rescuing her-“Any decent man would defend you.” “We were in a …full of decent men, but only one came to my rescue.”( I left out the word that tells exactly the situation.) Yet, she finds out later that he has relationships and a past that could brand him into Louis’s criminal category. “Could she even tell the difference between a good man and a bad man?”
As a reader, I knew which category I wanted Nathan to be in, as well as his friend Beau. But yikes, their pasts keep coming up to throw aspersions on how they might respond in the future. As Nathan’s future is uncertain, it in turn throws Aubrey’s future into uncertainty. Can the two learn to be totally honest, learn to trust each other fully, or will their murky pasts keep riding to obscure the future they begin to hope for?
I enjoyed the way Woodley draws her characters. I was constantly questioning what would happen, because they are so 3- dimensional, not just totally good or even totally evil. It sure makes for great action scenes! It also produces great truth nuggets! (“Our worth is found in God, not the good or bad things we do.”– Aubrey- one example)
The inclusion of young children is often a hook for readers. There are two adorable babies in this story! I also enjoyed the photography angle and inclusion of some well-known historical figures.
Highly recommended for those who enjoy Western Historical fiction, with themes of atoning for the past, fear, spousal abuse, found family, true value, trust, and second chances.
I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit Tours. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“There was nothing to do but rely on God. He was the only one who could help.”
“rotten apples come from rotten trees.”- Titus
“Most things in life of value take risk.”– Nathan
“No one should have to live in fear in their own home. Don’t sacrifice wisdom for politeness.”
My Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Magnificent!! I have found yet another historical fiction author to follow!! Yay, Kylee Woodley!!
Blog Stops
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, June 16
Pens Pages & Pulses, June 17
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 18
Artistic Nobody, June 19 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, June 20
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 21
Fiction Book Lover, June 22 (Author Interview)
lakesidelivingsite, June 23
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 24
For Him and My Family, June 25
Holly’s Book Corner, June 26
Simple Harvest Reads, June 27 (Author Interview)
Devoted To Hope, June 27
Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, June 27
Pause for Tales, June 28
Life on Chickadee Lane, June 29
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, KyLee is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions 