The Bandit’s Redemption: An Interview with Debut Author KyLee Woodley

In a special bonus episode of the LiteraryScape podcast, host Melissa LaShure sits down with debut author KyLee Woodley to discuss her new historical romance novel, The Bandit’s Redemption, released on the day of the interview. About the Book The Bandit’s Redemption carries the intriguing tagline: “A holdup gone wrong, a reluctant outlaw, and the captive she’s sworn to guard.” What makes this western romance unique is its female protagonist—Lorraine is the outlaw, not the hero Jesse. This twist on traditional western narratives was inspired by KyLee’s research into real-life dangerous women from history. The novel features an engaging blend of historical romance with a pinch of suspense and adventure. Set primarily between Idaho and Salt Lake City in the 1800s, the story includes authentic historical locations like Soda Springs, with its natural carbonated springs, along with plenty of western staples: train rides, bank robberies, and high-stakes adventure. A Long Journey to Publication KyLee’s path to becoming a published author wasn’t an overnight success story. Despite being a teacher by profession and having a reading disability, she persevered through approximately 11 years of daily writing practice before signing with Wild Heart Books last year. “I’m a born teacher, I’m not a born writer,” KyLee shared. “I’m like the last person that God should have called to be a writer.” Her dedication included joining critique groups through ACFW, writing short stories and nonfiction pieces, studying the market, reading craft books, and attending conferences. After her first query in 2018, it took another six years of pitching, querying, and interacting with industry professionals before securing her publishing contract. Characters That Come to Life When discussing her characters, KyLee expressed particular fondness for both Jesse and Lorraine. Jesse, kidnapped just as he was meant to start working in his father’s business, proves to be surprisingly adaptable, strong, and wise when faced with his challenging circumstances. Lorraine’s character journey centers around moving past tragedy. As an immigrant who left France following personal losses, she’s been emotionally stuck for years, unable to put down roots in America. Her spiritual journey begins when she questions her involvement with the outlaw gang and her decision to kidnap Jesse. The villain, Pierre, presented the biggest writing challenge. As a gang member vying for control and clashing with Lorraine, Pierre required KyLee to understand his selfish motivations. She occasionally journaled from his perspective to better capture his character, describing him as someone who “doesn’t really have [a moral code], not much at all… he mocks because he just doesn’t care about anything.” Research and Inspiration Historical research played a significant role in KyLee’s writing process. She explored Lorraine’s French backstory, including the Franco-Prussian War, which connected with her own German ancestry. The geographic locations in the novel, particularly Soda Springs in Idaho with its natural carbonated wells and coral-like formations, came from personal travel experiences. A Message of Hope While KyLee doesn’t deliberately start with a spiritual theme, her faith naturally informs her writing. As she works on her stories, elements from her Bible study, devotions, and her pastor’s messages f...