Lily and the Lawman

About the Book

Title: Lily and the Lawman

Series: Brides of the West
Author: Erica Vetsch
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction
Release Date: October 13, 2025

A desperate aunt and a duty-bound sheriff—thrown into marriage by necessity, driven by danger, and risking everything to rescue a child…and their hearts.

All Lily Whitman wants is to open her bakery and provide a good life for her sister and infant niece. But when her niece is kidnapped by a ruthless gang, Lily is frantic to get her back. The only one who can help is the new acting sheriff, Trace McConnell. Though she’s sworn never to trust a man again, she finds herself forced to rely on this quiet lawman—worse, she’s forced to marry him to protect her reputation during the search.

Trace McConnell, a man who sees the world in black and white, does everything by the book, and keeps his feelings to himself. He’s dreamed of being a real lawman his whole life, not just a temporary replacement. When a U.S. Marshal arrives with news of a child kidnapping ring, Trace sees his chance to prove himself worthy of the badge. But his new “wife” keeps throwing his carefully laid plans into chaos with her determination to help—and his growing feelings for her threaten to compromise his focus on justice.

Can two people burned by past betrayals learn to trust again in time to save an innocent child? Or will their fears cost them not only their chance at love, but the life of the baby they’re desperate to rescue?

About the Author

Best-selling, award-winning author of The Debutante’s Code, first in the Thorndike & Swann Regency Mystery Series, Erica Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum.

More from Erica

Lily and the Lawman has one of my favorite opening lines that I’ve ever written.

No man should have to arrest his own father—at least not more than once a month.

And so begins Trace McConnell’s adventure to lasting happiness. Trace is a lawman, and his father is the town drunk. He heads out on the trail of some bad men who have kidnapped a baby girl. He doesn’t go alone, the child’s aunt goes with him. Mayhem, danger, and love along the way happen, hopefully leading to a satisfying conclusion for everyone but the bad guy.

But I wanted to talk about first lines in fiction. First lines have to do some heavy lifting! So much responsibility! If you are a writer, you have to consider so many things when writing that first line. Does it set the tone of the book? Does it reveal something up front about the character? Does it make the reader ask a question? Does it make the reader want to continue on to see what happens next?

When I’m writing a new story, I often put in all capital letters in the first draft: WRITE A GREAT FIRST LINE HERE. Then I go on with the opening scene.

You see, there is something intimidating in starting a new story, seeing all the blank, white space where words need to go. And it’s worse when you know how important a first line can be. So I put in a place holder. Often I don’t know what the first line should be until I’m into the story a ways. Only rarely do I know what the first line will be, and even then I often change it later.

When I need inspiration, I peruse my bookshelves to read first lines. Here are two of my favorites, both from the late secular writer, Dick Francis

From To the Hilt: I don’t think my stepfather much minded dying. That he almost took me with him wasn’t really his fault.

From Longshot: I accepted a commission that had been turned down by four other writers, but I was hungry at the time.

Do you have a favorite first line?

Devoted To Hope's Review of Lily and the Lawman

Lily’s heart speaks clearly in every moment. Her courage feels bruised and trembling, yet it never stops reaching. There’s a moment when her heart breaks open: “When she cried it all out to the Lord, begging His forgiveness, made up, and abandoned a dozen excuses not to obey His prompting…”

That surrender becomes the turning point of the story, the place where faith becomes breath again. Trace carries the quiet weight of responsibility, a man learning that justice without mercy leaves something hollow. Their paths cross in the midst of fear, and faith begins to thread them together in ways neither expected.

“Lord, help me to trust You. Help me to know You’re here and that You haven’t forsaken me.” That plea could belong to anyone. It lingers in the air, steady and raw, and through it, the story reminds us that God never steps away from the ones who surrender all to Him.

There are sincere, heart-felt prayers, promises forged through danger, and trust rebuilt in the midst of the chase. The search for a stolen child becomes a mirror of how faith itself is found again… through surrender, through courage, through love.

I finished with tears and gratitude, reminded that God sees every tear we shed and every concern we carry. He does not leave us; He draws us closer to Himself, our Provider and Sustainer!

For readers who love historical stories woven with danger, devotion, and the steady rise of faith through fear, Lily and the Lawman reaches straight to the heart.

I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher and Celebrate Lit Publicity Group. I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on writing and story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.