I’ve loved being part of life here at Wildflower Junction, but it’s time for me to saddle up and sing “Happy Trails.” I’m sad to leave but thrilled by the reason. As much as I love westerns, I’ve had a contemporary burning in my brain for as long as I can remember. I’m happy to announce that Until I Found You will be published by Bethany House in May 2014. You know how writers talk about the book of their heart? This is mine.
I wrote the first outline for this story shortly after my husband and I got married. Since our kids are grown now–married but no grandkids yet–you can imagine how long ago that was. I didn’t get past chapter three on that version of the book, mostly because I didn’t have the life experience to tell the story that I wanted to tell. I set the manuscript aside, raised a family, worked as an editor for a newsletter, moved to Washington DC and generally lived life.
I didn’t know it, but Until I Found You was cooking the entire time. I tried to write the book again in 2003 after selling a western to Harlequin. That version didn’t sell, mostly because it didn’t have a plot. I started to work on it again in 2007, but then Love Inspired Historicals opened up and the western bug bit me again. I set the contemporary aside to do eight LIHs, but I knew deep down that someday I’d give that story another shot.
Yes, I love it that much. It’s about a woman struggling to understand faith, love and all those random accidents that have left her frightened and insecure. Her life’s a mess when the hero arrives . . . He’s a hunk, of course. A travel writer and reformed veteran of life in the fast lane, he has a story of his own to tell. He also owns a Harley and is a daredevil at heart. That makes him a perfect (or should say imperfect?) match for my oh-so-cautious heroine.
The back cover blurb says it this way . . .
When Kate Darby swerves off a mountain road to avoid hitting a California condor, she ends up trapped in her car, teetering on the edge of a cliff. Terrified, she breathes a prayer that changes her life: “God, if you’re real, I want to know you.”
It’s Nick Sheridan who comes to Kate’s rescue. Nick is handsome, confident, and seems to develop a habit of rescuing her, but Kate is in town only until her grandmother recuperates from a stroke. She’s not planning to fall in love with one of the locals.
Nick Sheridan is a reformed veteran of life in the fast lane, a new Christian, and a travel writer. When he sees a car dangling on the edge of a cliff, the daredevil in him jumps into action. He doesn’t expect to be swept off his feet by the car’s occupant. He’s made a vow: no dating for a year. And it’s a vow he intends to keep in spite of his attraction to Kate Darby . . .
So here we go . . . I hope those of you who love westerns will take a chance on a book set in modern times. The hero wears a motorcycle helmet instead of a Stetson, but I assure you he’s a cowboy at heart. As for the heroine, in my mind she’s the great-great granddaughter of the Reverend John Leaf from Abbie’s Outlaw, or maybe J.T. Quinn in The Outlaw’s Return.
Happy trails to all! It’s been a privilege to share this journey you.
Victoria Bylin is under contract with Bethany House Publishers for two inspirational contemporary romances.Prior to jumping to the present day, she wrote westerns for Harlequin Historical and Love Inspired Historical. Her books have finaled in the ACFW Carol Awards, the Rita Awards and RT Magazine’s Reviewers’ Choice Awards. She and her husband live in Lexington, Kentucky and have two grown sons. You can learn more about Vicki at www.victoriabylin.com
Congratulations on the new book, Vicki. I can tell your heart is totally in this one. It sounds like a faith-inspiring story. May it take you in wonderful new directions.
You’ve been such a great filly, and you’ll be missed. May your new trail be a happy one. Hugs.
Thank you, Elizabeth! This is definitely “a book of my heart.” I’ll miss being a Filly, but you can be sure I’ll be stopping by and checking out the action!
This sounds like a great book. I can really get into a biker guy just as much as a good cowboy.
Thanks, Janine! One of the fun things about a contemporary is that you can blend personality traits. This hero has the heart of a cowboy, the swagger of a pirate, and the courage of a soldier . . . I had fun with it!
Sounds like a wonderful book!
Victoria, Your new book sounds wonderful so I will be anxiously awaiting the read. Best of luck to you on your many new ventures.
Vicki, I love the premise of this book! It sounds like it opens with a bang!
I *don’t* love that you’re leaving us. Boo-hoo! But it’s exciting to try new things and travel new roads. I wish you the best of luck, my friend. You’ll be missed.
Hugs!
It sounds fantastic! Can’t wait to read it. I grew up in an area where they had California condors so that part made me smile 🙂
The book sounds great, Vicki….BUT COULDN’T HE HAVE RIDDEN UP ON A STALLION INSTEAD OF A HARLEY!!??? YOU COULD HAVE MADE THIS WORK AS A WESTERN GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sounds like a “can’t put it down” book and I look forward to reading.
Oh I will so look forward to reading this book.. Congrats and I wish you much success with this “book of your heart”…
Sounds like such a great book, Vicki! I wish you much success in this new adventure!
–Kirsten
Congratulations, Vicki! Wishing you much success with UNTIL I FOUND YOU. I look forward to reading this book of your heart!!
Sob, Vicki, but best of luck with the new journey of following your heart with the book of your heart. I can’t wait to read it. I so look forward to reading Until I Found You. And I know this isn’t good-bye at all, just good luck! xoxox
Sorry to hear your are leaving the Junction. I have read your westerns and enjoyed them. Maybe it is time for a change and hopefully you will come back to your “roots” and grace us with a few more westerns.
Sounds like UNTIL I FOUND YOU will be an enjoyable read. I’ll be looking for it. A good author is a good author, no matter what genre she or he decides to work in. Best of luck in your new endeavors.
Enjoyed your post, Victoria!
Haven’t read any of your books, Until I Found You sounds like an enjoyable read – until it comes out, I will be checking out your westerns.
Always happy to find Christian fiction authors from my home state (Louisville area).
Congratulations on the new book!
Thank you all for the well wishes! I really am excited about the new road, but I will ALWAYS love westerns. I read in cycles, so many I’ll write the same way . . . a little of both 🙂
Vikki, the new book sounds fabulous! Congratulations on following up on your dream – I know you’re going to do great!!!
Vicki, I’m going to miss you, though I know you’ll be happy following your heart to another type of storytelling. Sometimes you just have to do it!
I am reading The Outlaw’s Return right now, and I absolutely love this book. Can’t say enough good about it! I truly love the fact that these characters are REAL and have true-to-life personalities, every one of them, even the secondary characters. But you know me and dogs. And Fancy Girl is stealing the show. LOL J.T. is very realistic, and I am down to the last couple of chapters and having to stop myself from peeking. Marvelous story.
Congratulations on your new book–it has stayed with you many many years, and I think when you write something that is that dear to your heart, you can’t help but know it’s going to be a winner!
Stay in touch, Vicki! We’ll miss you.
Hugs,
Cheryl