I’m excited to share some behind-the-scenes updates about my current work in progress, Legacy of Honor. This novel is especially meaningful to me because it serves as a prequel to my earlier novel, Red-Haired Distraction. While Red-Haired Distraction tells the story of a Texas cattle drive and young love tested on the frontier, Legacy of Honor goes back a generation to explore the lives, choices, and sacrifices that shaped those who came before.
Legacy of Honor is a sweeping historical novel set against the backdrop of the American Civil War. It follows three central figures: Charles Montgomery Jr., Moira Callahan, and Willie Newman whose lives intertwine through hardship, courage, and resilience.
Without giving away the full story, the novel traces how these characters endure trials of war, confront personal loss, and discover bonds of loyalty and love that transcend class, culture, and circumstance. Along the way, themes of honor, freedom, and survival echo through every chapter.
The novel is divided into five major sections, each highlighting a different layer of the journey:
- Charles Jr. – The son of Charles Montgomery Sr., torn between privilege and duty, who must prove himself as both a leader and a man.
- Moira – An Irish immigrant whose intelligence, strength, and heart challenge the expectations placed upon her.
- Willie – A former slave who escapes bondage, seeking freedom and family, and whose story adds depth and humanity to the struggles of the time.
- Civil War – The great conflict that reshapes all their lives, pulling them into battles both on the field and within themselves.
- Post–Civil War – A period of rebuilding and reckoning, where each character must face the lasting consequences of war and decide the future they will claim.
In many ways, Legacy of Honor is about the roots of the Montgomery family story—showing how the experiences of Charles Jr. and his companions laid the foundation for the next generation in Red-Haired Distraction. It is a tale of struggle and resilience that deepens the legacy carried forward into later novels.
I’ll be sharing more updates and glimpses as the manuscript continues to take shape. For readers who loved Red-Haired Distraction, this prequel will provide new context, richer history, and a deeper understanding of the characters’ heritage.
Stay tuned—Legacy of Honor is well on its way.