Willow

by Linda Lael Miller

Dear Reader:

Willow is a novel from early in my career, and it was originally shorter than many of my other historical romances. Now, I'm delighted to be able to share this brand-new edition with you. I've taken the opportunity to expand Willow to include the subplots, love scenes, and deeper characterization that are possible with a longer book. I hope you enjoy reading this retelling as much as I have enjoyed visiting these characters and this story once again.

In 1883, the railroad had only recently come to Montana Territory, and outlaws still lurked in the hills. Willow Gallagher, who spent her early childhood in an outlaw camp until her father finally found her, is torn by divided loyalties. Newly married to handsome railroad baron Gideon Marshall, she finds fiery passion in Gideon's embrace, until she discovers he is on a mission . . . a mission to capture Willow's outlaw brother, Steven. Now Willow must choose--betray her brother, or risk the love she has found with Gideon, the love she has dreamed of all her life, to save Steven. It is a choice that could break her heart. . . .

May you be blessed,

Linda Lael Miller

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Westerns, Historical, Historical Fiction, Western Romance, Fiction

353 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

The daughter of a town marshal, Linda Lael Miller is a #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 100 historical and contemporary novels, most of which reflect her love of the West. Raised in Northport, Washington, Linda pursued her wanderlust, living in London and Arizona and traveling the world before returning to the state of her birth to settle down on a spacious property outside Spokane.
Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good, that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, mysteries and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Long a passionate Civil War buff, Linda has studied the era avidly for almost thirty years. She has read literally hundreds of books on the subject, explored numerous battlegrounds and made many visits to her favorite, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she has witnessed re-enactments of the legendary clash between North and South. Linda explores that turbulent time in The Yankee Widow, a May 7, 2019 MIRA Books hardcover, also available in digital and audiobook formats.
Dedicated to helping others, “The First Lady of the West” personally financed fifteen years of her Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women, which she awarded to women 25 years and older who were seeking to improve their lot in life through education. She anticipates that her next charitable endeavors will benefit four-legged critters.
More information about Linda and her novels is available at www.lindalaelmiller.com, on Facebook and from Nancy Berland Public Relations, nancy@nancyberland.com, 405-206-4748.

Reviews

[Layne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good plot, interesting characters....way too much descriptive sex.

[Camelia Skiba · Rating 3 out of 5]

As one of LLM's avid readers I was a bit disappointed. It was an easy read, predictable from the first pages. I usually read a book in two days (nights if I really like it) but it took me a while to get into this one. I kept reading a few pages and my mind would drift away, unable to keep interest into the subject. The love story is set in Montana Territory back in 1883. The main characters are typical Ms. Miller's books--the hero striking good looking and the heroine a very young stubborn, hellcat to cite the author.

Willow Gallagher is a 17-18 years girl that is about to marry a man she despises but accepts to marry him only to save her outlaw brother Steven from being chased, captured and eventually trialed for his crimes. The wedding is interrupted by Gideon Marshall, who is not only her step brother but apparently her husband as well. The marriage was a prank Gideon and his brother played on her, a year ago while she visited San Francisco. We never find out what exactly the prank was, but Willow puts up a fight with Gideon for interrupting her wedding and embarrassing her in front of the whole town.

The entire book revolves around Willow's effort to keep her brother safe, conflicted by her love for Gideon and knowing her own husband was after her brother to capture and trial him. Between Willow and Gideon playing cat and mouse, either her leaving him or vice versa, a few visits paid by her father's mistress, Gideon's brother and, Gideon's former fiance, a few funerals and a supper dance, almost everything was solved with another sex scene.

The book ends with three weddings--Willow's father marries his mistress, a real wedding for Willow and Gideon and Steven and Daphne. Overall an easy read, but I guess I just expected more from Ms. Miller who happens to be my favorite western era author and have read most of her books.

[Nicci · Rating 1 out of 5]

All the pieces were there for a great romance, however they somehow failed to come together. The characters behave strangely and inconsistently. The imagery is very well done. I could clearly see these characters in my minds eye, as well as the town they were in. However my overall feeling towards this novel is that of frustration.
I give it a 2.5 stars out of 5.
P.S This reminds me a little of Song of the Willow by Charlotte McPherren which is a much more enjoyable read.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book was OK but definitely a romance novel which I didn't know when I started it. Now, I have nothing against a good romance novel but not one that hinges on similarity to Harquelin romance novels. I did finish it because I had to see how it ended, although that was pretty obvious.

[Dee Brewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read!

[Faith Kenyon]

I loved the book!! i read it in two day actually pretty much one day but a couple pages!

[Shirlene]

Devlin Gallagher married Chastity. They had a son, Steven. She ran off with an outlaw, Jay Forbes when Steven was 7. Devlin tried to find him and found Chastity 4 years later. He slept with her but still got no information about the whereabouts of Steven. Devlin had met and married widow Evadne Jessup Marshall during the 7 years after Chastity left. Evadne had two sons, Zachary and Gideon. The boys would lose their inheritance if they were to leave San Francisco so they were not raised by Devlin or Evadne. They went to a private boarding school in San Francisco.
It was 3 more years later when Devlin was a marshal that he caught up with Forbes after he robbed a stagecoach and killed the driver. He and the posse he was with were getting ready to hang Forbes when Chastity showed up with a gun to try and stop them. They didn't. Chastity and Devlin were struggling when the gun went off and killed Chastity. As Forbes was begging for his life, he mentioned that Devlin also had a daughter who was three years old. They called her Willow. She was being raised by a friend so that she would not be exposed to their lifestyle as an outlaw family. Chastity and Forbes had two other boys, Coy and Reilly.
It took Devlin years to find Steven and when he did Steven resented him. He accused Devlin of not looking for him and giving up the search. He had no idea how hard Devlin had tried to find him. Steven loved Willow more than anything and after Devlin found him, he brought Willow and Maria, who had been taking care of her, to Devlin. Evadne had tried to be a mother to Willow but she was too independent. They didn't get along well and Willow was a reminder to her that Devlin had cheated on her with Chastity. She wouldn't allow Devlin to sleep in her bed after Willow arrived on their doorstep. Devlin began a relationship with Dove Triskadden.
Devlin and Evadne had taken a trip to San Francisco to see the boys when Willow was 17. They decided to play a trick on Willow and had Gideon ask her to marry him. Gideon did so that he could be around her that day. What he didn't know was that his brother had also played a trick on him and the marriage was performed by a real clergyman and the marriage was a real one.
Two years after that, Gideon came looking for Willow to inform her that he was engaged and the marriage needed to be annulled. Gideon arrived when Willow was at the altar getting married to Norville Pickering. Willow fell in love with Gideon while living at home. She heard storied about him from Evadne and nicknamed him Sir Lancelot. She was halfway in love with him when she had agreed to marry him at 17. She was very upset and embarrassed when she found out that she had been tricked into the marriage and told it wasn't real.
She was relieved that Gideon had shown up when he did. She didn't want to marry Norville, the newspaper editor, and her father, who was now a judge, didn't like him. She only married him because he knew how to find her brother and she wanted to keep Steven safe. Steven lived as an outlaw with her two half brothers. The only odd thing he did was to only rob from his father. He had robbed a train once and Gideon had come to Virginia City to capture him if he could. Gideon met Steven when he dressed up and came to the bar that Gideon was at to punch him in the stomach and warn him to be good to Willow. Gideon decided then that he wasn't going to pursue Steven. He told Devlin and Willow to deliver a message to him that he would be safe so long as he didn't rob any more of his trains. Steven finally had a talk with Devlin and agreed.
When Gideon told Evadne that he was not going to marry Daphne, who lived in San Francisco with her father who also had a large portion of stock in the railroad, she got very upset. She passed out and had a stroke. She never recovered and died that night. Willow blamed herself because Evadne was yelling at Willow about being just like her mother and enticing Gideon. Willow told her that she had done nothing to entice him. It had all started as a trick on her.
Devlin went away for a couple of days and that is when Steven sought him out and they finally talked. Steven agreed to rob no more trains. Gideon purchased some land with a house and moved into the house with Willow. Devlin made the decision to marry Dove when the time of mourning had passed. Dove came by to finally meet Willow and let her know that she and her father had made plans to be married in about a year. A letter soon arrived telling Gideon that his fiancée, Daphne, was coming for a visit.
Daphne and her maid were on the train when it was robbed. One of the train workers called out to Steven and he was shot and killed. Steven was blamed. Daphne saw the man who was thought to be Steven. She arrived at Willow's house after Gideon was deputized and had left to find and capture Steven. Steven had been stabbed and came to Willow for help. He had lost a lot of blood. Daphne had gone to town to pick up her belongings so that she could stay with Willow while she was in town. She arrived in time to help Steven. Devlin was also at the house and Daphne told them that it wasn't Steven who had robbed the train. Willow sewed Steven up and put him to bed.
There was another guy in town who was also looking for Steven. He wanted the money for the bounty. He was watching Willow to see if he could catch Steven. The bounty hunter's name was Vancel Tudd.
During the time that Steven was injured and staying with Willow, Daphne spent quite a bit of time with him. They grew close and developed a liking for each other. Steven left the house before Gideon returned. Willow was very upset at Gideon for searching for Steven and Willow made sure to let him know that he wasn't who killed the guy on the train. She also made sure to rub it in that Steven was at their house the entire time he was out searching.
There was a dance the next day and Gideon tried to make Willow jealous by asking Daphne to go with him. Willow in turn got Gideon's brother to take her. They ended up getting back together but not until Daphne told Willow that Gideon and his brother didn't like each other. Willow didn't understand that since she and her brothers loved each other regardless of what the did to others. Daphne also went outside to get some air and Steven was there. They agreed to meet in the stable at Devlin's home later that night. Daphne knew she was in love with Steven by then.
The next afternoon, Tudd came to town with three bodies. Two were her half brothers and he told everyone that the third body was Steven. Daphne and Willow were heartbroken, along with Devlin. Willow received a message to go outside later the next night. She was noticed acting weird during the next few days and the funeral. It was as if Steven wasn't dead and she was going along with the events. Gideon was worried that she was out of her head.
Willow went to Daphne after the funeral and asked her to go riding with her. Daphne soon realized that she was going to meet Steven. Gideon didn't know why Willow was going out riding so much during the funeral preparation time. He figured that she needed some time to herself. Then Gideon was at his office one day and one of the deputies mentioned that there was another outlaw in the area that looked a lot like Steven. The deputy also mentioned that Steven never would have killed anyone. His history was just taking things of his father's to show his resentment. The hood was not removed because Tudd told him that he shot him in the face.
Daphne's father came to Virginia City to take Daphne back home with him to San Francisco. Daphne had sent her cousin that had traveled with her to Virginia City back home alone. Cattle that Gideon had ordered had arrived at their ranch. Willow was having time not telling Gideon about Steven. Willow decided to go into town and see her father. Willow interrupted an argument that Daphne was having with her father and told Daphne to just refuse to leave. Daphne was having a hard time standing up to him. Willow went outside and picked some flowers to take to the churchyard to put on her half brothers graves. She didn't notice that Tudd was watching her. Devlin saw him and told him to stay away from his daughter. Tudd then mentioned that Willow wasn't putting flowers on Steven's grave and that worried Devlin.
Gideon went into town and saw his brother. They talked and Gideon found out that his brother was after his wife. Zachary admitted it to him. They almost got into a fist fight that Zachary wanted no part of. Devlin interrupted them and Zachary took the opportunity to run off. He and Gideon talked and Devlin told him that he was worried about Willow and the fact that she didn't put flowers on Steven's grave. Gideon picked up Willow from Devlin's and they headed home. Gideon woke up in the night to find Willow gone. He then figured out that she wasn't losing her mind. Willow was acting strangely because Steven was still alive. He went outside and confronted Willow who admitted that it was true. They then got dressed and went and told Devlin even though it was the middle of the night. He was upset and left Willow there with her father.
Zachary took advantage of the rift and took Daphne and Willow to see a play in town. He offered to take Willow home when he noticed she wasn't enjoying herself. He promised to return and take Daphne home. When they arrived at Devlin's, no one was there and Zachary tried to force himself on Willow. She wasn't interested in him and bit his tongue and then kicked him in his privates. She took the opportunity then to run off. She took the wagon and went back into town and picked up Daphne and decided to go to Dove's place. They got to Dove's place and Tudd was there. He then took the girls to a cabin in the hills and told them that he was keeping them until Steven traded himself for them.
Gideon, Devlin and Jack Roberts, Daphne's father, had left to go see the governor to obtain a pardon for Steven. They had enough proof that he didn't kill anyone and that he had only robbed his father. Devlin didn't want to press charges against him. When they returned, Steven was waiting and told them about Tudd having the women. They decided to go after Tudd and left Mr. Roberts at Devlin's place.
In the meantime, Willow remembered that she used to live in that cabin as a small child with her parents and brothers. She remembered that there was a tunnel from the room they were to the trees outside into the trees. Willow showed the other women and they escaped. When the got out, they looked down from the ridge and saw the men. They were debating what to do when the women spoke up and the guys were all excited to see their women. Willow was still worried about her relationship with Gideon when he told her that Steven had been pardoned.
Daphne's father had refused to allow her to have anything to do with Daphne and insisted that she return to San Francisco with him. Daphne didn't want to go but Steven hadn't come to see her and she was afraid that she was pregnant. They got on board a train and were heading home when the train was stopped. Others onboard the train were afraid they were being robbed when Steven appeared and told everyone that the only thing he was taking was Daphne. Mr. Roberts was furious and then Daphne told him that she was expecting a child. Her father then agreed that they needed to be married immediately and Steven told him that he had a preacher waiting for them. They were married later that night.
Devlin and Dove were also married shortly afterwards. Willow brought up the fact to Gideon that they were never really married so they got married again.
There was an announcement in the local paper that Steven had been pardoned and robbed his last train. He had stopped another train to demand the hand of Daphne Roberts. Daphne's father insisted that they be married immediately and Steven agreed.
Eight and a half months later, Willow had a son she named Steven and Daphne had a daughter she named Charity.

[Erika · Rating 2 out of 5]

*I read the retelling updated edition of this book.

I don't even know where to begin. This book was just awful and that's because the main female character (Willow) just ruined the whole damn book. I have never wanted to jump through a book and slap the shit out of a fictional character so bad. Every few pages she was crying and throwing literal tantrums. She had absolutely no backbone and acted like a complete child. You'd think she was a school girl with her first relationship. Her friend Daphne was a child too. Both of them being children throwing fits. Everyone in the book was so godamned immature I just hated it. The games her and her husband would play on each other to piss each other off was so annoying and childish. And every time they ran into a disagreement one of them would leave the other. What kind of grown ass adults act like the people did in this book? My word, I've never hated every single character in a book, before this one. This book could have been a lot better because the plot is good, but the characters are all so damn awful it ruined the book.

[Cindy Adair · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ok read

Usually I really enjoy books by Linda Lael Miller. I love the western romance stories. That is what this book is. But, about midway I got tired of the main character and ready for the story to be done. Willow is a strong-willed 19 year old who learns at her wedding that she is already married to her step brother that she has built a fantasy around from gazing at his portrait for years. There was a wedding two years earlier that was supposed to be a joke, but the officiant was real. Her brother, Steven, is a train robber who is a wanted man by her husband who happens to own part of the railroad. As Willow hides her brother’s whereabouts, she falls in love with her husband and keeps leaving him.

This was not my favorite title by this author, and for me it was just ok.

[Gifford MacShane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite Western. I didn't really like the FMC (she was young, yes, but still very immature for that time and place). The novel was also prone to anachronisms, which pulled me out of the story from time to time. On the other hand, the plot had some nice twists & turns which kept me reading until the end. But the climax was foreshadowed a bit too much & I was not at all surprised by the "thrilling denouement".

A quick, pleasant read for those who like some steam in their romance.

[LHC Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Book

Her books are great. I especially like her series. Plan on reading all of them. She writes within the parameters of the time period, not trying to bring in today's world.

[Lynnie Kingaby · Rating 5 out of 5]

first time reading Linda's books. Whow really liked the storyline and the characters.
well done Linda looking forward now to reading some other books by you and your on my lists of defo read Authors.

[Carol Sandford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable and easy read. Lacked a little depth, but otherwise good

[Julie Martinez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great!! Loved Gideon & Willow, still don’t understand how they ended up married but who cares? It was a great story!

[Fer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Me hubiera gustado que relatara un poco más de la historia de Steven y Daphne.

[Bolatito]

It's a great novel

[Cecilyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit goofy. The characters weren't super endearing. The father was ok and could have had his own book. The daughter was silly and naive.

[Donna Magruder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome story loved it.

[Rebecca Grindley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet pioneer romance form my grandmother in love.

[Bookaholics · Rating 3 out of 5]

Willow by Linda Miller
Western- Sept. 28th, 2010
3 Stars

At first, I thought this book was strange. It deals with the main heroine falling in love with her step-brother. I guess once I got over that, then this book is good though complicated. Willow is the name of the main character. Her father, Devlin Gallagher, married a woman who already has two sons, Zachary and Gideon. When her father Devlin met his ex-wife, Chastity, their passionate response resulted in Willow's existence.

Willow has a school girl crush on Gideon but he is ten years her senior. As part of a practical joke, they get married only to find out that the marriage is legal and binding. Both Willow and Gideon are initially upset but this soon changes. Gideon realizes he can use Willow to find out more about a man named Steven. Willow’s relationship with her friend Steven is a source of trouble. Steven is a wanted outlaw who robs trains. The fact that Willow and Steven are close has put her in jeopardy. A bounty hunter is out to get Steven, and he isn't above threatening Willow. Gideon is interested in stopping Steven since his family's railroad business has had run-ins with Steven and his gang. However, he realizes, perhaps just in the nick of time, that he is more invested in Willow than anything or anyone else. What was supposed to be a joke of a wedding turns out to be the real deal.

I found that Willow was an easy read, but it was not one of my favorites because Willow is a little too whimsical and childish. I just couldn't relate to her character. However, that being said, the story did flow well and was easy to read.

Reviewed by Sophia from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great story! It was long and not over detailed, there were no parts that I wished would hurry up and get to the point. At first I was confused with the characters but reading thru I understood. The only flaws it has is the very end, I would of liked willow to tell Gideon about Zachary and what happened to him after that night. Also I was disappointed willow never out rightly told Gideon that she was pregnant instead of the eighth months later....also the baby names were stupid it would of made sense if Steven had died then I wouldn't have an issue if their child was named after him but also Stevens baby was named after his whore of a mother. Another thing was dove was supposedly pregnant too and her baby name was never said In The eight months later paper. I really loved this story and that it not only had action but two love stories and that I didn't have to wait till the end of the book to read the I love you between characters. I'd also like to mention the prologue was probably the best way to start this story I am very happy the author added in that part.

[Kimberly Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, so this book was very good if I so say so myself:) I really enjoy a good historical romance every once in a while because it really does transport you to a different time and place. I loved everything about this novel and the characters. I loved how Gideon had this hard exterior but wasn’t afraid to show a softer side when he was with Willow. And Willow truly earned the nickname “Hell Cat”. She is a real spitfire and one of those tough to tame types, but innocent at the same time. There was a part right in the beginning of the novel that had me laughing pretty good. It was right after she and Gideon kissed for the first time and she asks him, very seriously, “Can that make me pregnant?” Of course Gideon laughs and tells her no and she gets all mad and embarrassed, but it was just so cute and funny. There are more moments like that throughout the novel, and that mixed with the passion of the two characters is what makes this an awesome read.

[Laura Beasley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was a good story. Had a predictable ending but the story had a plot, characters that were believable and kept me interested. Willow about to get married when Gideon stops the wedding. It seems that 2 years ago Gideon and his brother played a joke on willow and pretended like they were getting married but it was no joke. They were really married. Gideon finds out and comes to see willow and is also looking for her brother who is an outlaw, Lots of characters in the story and several love stories going on. Then Gideon's fiancée comes to town and there is jealousy. Zachary , Gideon's' s brother also plays a role in the story. Will Steven-- Willow's brother be caught. Will Wollow and Gideon stay married? What about Dove and Devlin and Daphne and Syeven? Twist and turns. Enjoyable and easy read.m

[Katie Boring · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, its was a fast read, and it kept me on my toes after not reading much romance for many years because of how sometimes I want my endings to be like this, but knowing life is like it when married like how it was with Willow and Gideon. Those two were my favorite characters, and it seemed more realistic to life, than any other book I have read in along time for a girl who lives in Suburbia and wanting the country life, and who has a country heart. I loved this book, and it didn't take me long to when I started reading it not want to put it down. And, from someone who has shied away from romance because sometimes it is to predictable, and as someone who had given up on romance, this book helped give me hope. And, for me that isn't easy. I'm allot like Willow a hard case to handle.

[Catheryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-read 8/2025
I still think this book was a lot of fun. Do not take any of it serious. We are just here for a good time with some drama. Gideon was so gone for her and didn't even know how to handle it. While Willow just makes a mess of things at the end. Loved it still.

****

I thought this book was a lot of fun.

The drama was a bit over the top and sometimes I was wondering why Willow was trying to fight with Gideon. But overall, I thought it was entertaining. It almost was a bit like a soap opera.

I took me a minute to understand all the family connections, but I quickly caught on. Gideon wasn't my favorite character at the start of the story, but he was pretty smitten with Willow and stayed faithful. I thought the spice was nice and definitely reminded me of some of her other older historic romances.

[Pam H · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am so glad I have read many of LLM's books before this one or I would have never picked up another one. It had all the makings of a great love story but totally fell flat. Willow hates Gideon on one page and is telling him she loves him on the next. There were some nice touches to the normal plot- Devlin has a mistress, the spurned fiancé jumps a train to the west, nobody wants to marry their betrothed...but it wasn't enough to recommend it.

[Jeanne (love2cook) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Willow is a historical western romance story. Willow is a headstrong, woman who is torn by divided loyalties between her husband railroad baron Gideon Marshall and her outlaw brother Steven. She has a habit of making wrong choices, which she manages to get out of danger, every-time. Probably, because Ms Miller writes the story that way. She wasn't believable all the time. But the story was a no brainer, and it had the typical happy ending.

[Marcia Haskell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a favorite of mine - it took me forever to get into the story and once in it, I did not find that I cared about any of the characters or what happened to them The male characters were all chauvinists and the women in the story were to saccharine and played to many coy games. I frequently enjoy Linda Lael Miller's book, but not this one. Just never got into it.

[AndreaH · Rating 2 out of 5]

You can tell this is an "enhanced" version of earlier book.
You see Miller's style coming through, and then you hit a spot that is so much improved that it is almost like reading a different book.
Basic tale: Young woman torn between her husband, a lawman, and her brother, an outlaw. Both siblings end with a HEA.

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy Linda Lael Miller's "western" romance books. True to form Willow was filled with all the antics and spunky characters as per norm. However, I wish when she added the back stories she would have gone in to more detail. I would have liked to see Daphne and Steven's relationship blossom.