About the Book

Book: The Convict’s Courtship

Author: KyLee Woodley

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: March 3, 2026

A remote mining town, an aspiring journalist, and the reformed convict who saves her life.

When Clara Alexander returned from finishing school to Virginia City she had two goals: to become a reporter and make peace with the father who betrayed her mother. But even in the West, there is no room for her in the newsroom or in the family her father made when he married his mistress. Clara is forced to take desperate measures to prove her worth to an editor—including a reckless venture into a dangerous mine shaft.

Reformed convict Beau Vulpe lives a quiet life of obscurity in a remote mining town in Nevada. When he rescues a beautiful woman from a sweltering mine shaft, he’s welcomed into her home as a hero, only to discover that they are the same family he deeply wronged the summer before. Now, with winter’s grip choking the mountain town and rumors of mines going bust, he is forced to stay, praying Clara won’t discover the truth before the spring thaw.

As Clara pursues her dreams of writing for the renowned Territorial Enterprise, she continually crosses paths with the mysterious Frenchman who saved her life and is drawn to him a little more with each interaction. Beau finds himself not only falling for the lovely lady but befriending her family as well. Can he protect his freedom and atone for his wrongs without losing his heart in the process? And what about Clara—will her attraction toward Beau Vulpe lead to the disappointment her mother warned her about?

Click here to get your copy!

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

A Heart in Exile: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Heroine

We all carry “wounds”—those hurts from our past that shape how we see the world today. For Clara, my heroine in The Convict’s Courtship, that wound is deep and it’s personal.

In her youth, Clara loved to write fanciful stories. With a love of history and a strong faith in God, she strove as a teen to write Bible studies for young ladies. But she comes from a troubled home, the daughter of an impulsive father and a mother she believes died of a broken heart after her father’s betrayal. Weeks after her mother’s death, her father married his mistress, who gave birth to a baby boy just months later. At this point, a sixteen-year-old Clara hoped they might finally be a family, only to be sent away to an elite boarding school—Miss Porter’s School. This was the same prestigious school attended by Nellie Grant, President Grant’s daughter. Everyone said her father sent her there out of love, but Clara knew better. It was time for Clara to grow up.

During her time in the East, she discovered the pioneering work of 19th-century female journalists and activists like Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Jane Swisshelm, and Anne Newport Royall. She admired these strong women, seeing them as a stark contrast to her mother’s perceived weakness. This shift led Clara away from “fanciful” notions of hope toward a life built on facts, proof, and logic—so much so that rather than pray, she now seeks guidance through the analytical study of the Bible.

After four years of exile, Clara returns to a Virginia City that is soon decimated by the Great Fire of 1875.

Now, she must find a way to reconcile her mother’s memory, her own search for significance, and her desire for a family. It is among the ruins of the city and of her family that she encounters Monsieur Beau Vulpe—a convict on the run with deep wounds of his own and a secret connection to her family that makes her the last woman in the world he would choose to love. Will the mysterious Frenchman be part of her healing or her final ruin?

Clara’s journey is one of healing, hard truths, and finding hope in the midst of the ashes. Have you ever had to face a “wound” from your past that felt impossible to heal? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. And if you’re ready to see how Clara and Beau’s story unfolds, you’ll want to read The Convict’s Courtship.”

Extinguishing flames on C Street While this picture does not depict the actual fire in 1875, it does show how the fire department and the town fought the flames. Source: The Historic Fourth Ward School Museum. http://fourthwardschool.org/events/virginia-citys-great-fire-of-1875/.

Interview with KyLee

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I do not have a simple answer for this, but I will try. I have always loved stories and had no problem making up my own tales of superhero girls in historical settings when I was a child. However, I struggled in school and never saw myself as a smart person. Writing was challenging for me. Still, we all overcome our struggles when we work hard. My mom used to say, “Practice makes perfect.” I never believed that, but I know that practice brings improvement, and that is good enough for me.

In 2013, I had a beautiful story set in the farmlands of Oregon that simply would not leave me alone. It was like an obsession, a burning in my brain. I had to record it somehow. By then, I had graduated high school and earned a degree, so writing—while still challenging—was something I did not hate. I started writing the stories in my head and studying the craft of  writing, and for the last twelve years, I have not stopped. Up until 2020, I wrote every day religiously, but work and family duties no longer allow for such a delightful and rigid writing schedule.

It still took me years to confidently identify myself as a writer, and even then, I would not allow my husband to tell people I was an author. I told him that people don’t understand how long it takes to get published or how rigorous the process is. They will want to know what books I’ve written, and then I will have to talk about manuscripts, story ideas, and the rejection I’ve faced. We compromised on the term ‘aspiring author,’ which is only a little better.

In my opinion, there are many writers in the world, and everyone is significant. Sometimes we write for our own mental health and happiness; other times, our writing reaches others for the better. Whatever my calling or yours in the writing industry, to me, a writer is someone who writes with a consistently driven will within. We write because we cannot not write. (Please forgive the double negative.) So there, I can say it: I am a writer.

What is your real-life work schedule like when writing?

My real-life work schedule is taxing. I work full-time, nine-hour days, five days a week, as a teacher. I also have three teenagers, a dear husband and marriage I care about, and my church. I find time to write on Saturdays, holidays, and during the summer. I know some people can write on their lunch break in short increments, but for me, I need hours of time immersed in the story to really write cohesive plots and deep characters. I try to put myself in a point of view character and then journal in first person to keep that connection with them since I am unable to write daily anymore.

What are your favorite books to read?

Inspirational historical romance! My favorite authors right now are Roseanna M. White, Michelle Griep, and Karen Witemeyer, although some of their works are not considered romance. I have also found Jody Hedlund’s and Tamara Leigh’s historical stories more in line with the romantic plotlines that make a romance novel so captivating.

When did you write your first book, and how old were you?

In 2013, I wrote my first book. I was 26 and had no plans to become a writer, but once the bug bit, that was it. I highly recommend writing because it is so good for the soul. However, I never recommend pursuing publishing because the Christian book market is saturated, and there are so few opportunities. I believe such a courageous undertaking should be approached after much prayer, research, and careful consideration. I will say, I do not regret perusing publication even though it has been easy.

How do you create your main characters?

Sometimes, my inspiration comes from characters in books or movies. Often, looking at art inspires me—pictures of beautiful settings and people seem to come to life in my mind, and I can start writing right away. From there, I develop a backstory using a template I’ve put together, often referencing The Emotional Wound Thesaurus. This helps me understand the challenges the character might face. I also consider how the love interest couple will complement and clash.

You always want the love interest to see the other person in a way no one else can, to bolster them to do things they have never done before. I like to think that my husband has helped me live to my full potential that God intended, and that is how I write romance. God is Lord of the hero and heroine’s lives by the end of the book because of the significant other. They have each given the other one such a clear and genuine expression of godly love. I want them to exemplify characteristics of God while still giving Him His rightful place as GOD of their lives.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 10

Pause for Tales, March 10

lakesidelivingsite, March 11

Texas Book-aholic, March 12

Bizwings Blog, March 13

Sydney Schmied Books, March 13

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 14

For Him and My Family, March 15

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 16

Devoted Steps, March 17

Devoted To Hope, March 18

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 19

Stories By Gina, March 20 (Author Interview)

Connie’s History Classroom, March 20

Cover Lover Book Review, March 21

Life on Chickadee Lane, March 22

Holly’s Book Corner, March 23

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, KyLee is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a gift basket, which includes the whole series!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/sErXk/the-convicts-courtship-celebration-tour-giveaway