Author Visit: Lillian Humphrey

I’m excited that other young authors have emailed me, interested in sharing their first (or new) works. This time, I’m happy to introduce you to Lillian Humphrey, an up-and-coming young author with her very first published work: The Lawman’s Daughter. Sound intriguing? Well, read on to learn more. Like other young authors I interview, she is giving away a copy of her print book! 👏🏼 Ready? Let’s get started!

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Young Author Visit with Lillian Humphrey

Tell us a little about yourself.

Well, to start off with, I’m a Christian and a homeschool graduate. I live in the High Desert of central Oregon, and I may be biased, but I think it is one of the most beautiful places in the state. Even though 1) green stuff (some people know it familiarly and call it grass) does not grow much here and 2) the land lights on fire every year in spite of that fact. We get around a foot of rain annually, which leaves it deliciously sunny and dangerously dry!

I have five brothers, and my family built a house on the side of a juniper-and-sagebrush-covered hill. It’s been a great place to dream up Western stories! I love adventuring, hiking, creating celebrations and Texas style fiddling.

When did you start writing?

I don’t know the exact age, but I was pretty young. Writing runs in my family and it was only a matter of time until the bug struck me! I think I’ve been writing about fictional characters since I was 9.

What was it like to write The Lawman’s Daughter?

I could write a list of the emotions that come upon writers at different parts of the process, but I’ll just say it had its ups and downs! I started writing The Lawman’s Daughter about four years ago and wrote sporadically until the end of 2024. I wasn’t sure I was going to publish my work; the story had lost some fire at this point and it was a slog to think about. But my dad saw potential in the project and encouraged me to finish it. I’m so glad he did! I spent a whole month finishing my manuscript in January of ’25 and edited, then formatted for over 10 months. The formatting and editing were the hardest parts, but they paid off.

Why is the setting of your book in Montana?

I’ve been fascinated with Montana for a long time…and the Bitterroot Valley seemed like the perfect place to set my book in. The geography fit the plot well, it’s gorgeous, and it was remote enough to be behind-the-times when I needed it to be for my story. I got to go to Montana for the first time in 2025, and it was even more beautiful and scenic than I imagined!  

What inspired you to write The Lawman’ Daughter?

I grew up reading the Little House on the Prairie books and my favorite Old Western series is Gunsmoke, both of which have influenced my writing  🙂 

But much of it I dreamed up in my imagination. Thankfully most of the plots in my book have never happened to me! I love to imagine real-world situations (I’ve never been much of a fantasy girl) and I spent a lot of time during highschool in the world of Maryan and Alan. My brain favored Biology studies as a good time for plot-hatching…

All right! That leads us into my next question. Can you tell us a little bit about your book?

Absolutely! It’s a clean romance, mystery, and coming-of-age adventure that takes place in the Wild West of 1890’s Montana. 

Open the book and you’ll meet Maryan, the daughter of a legendary sheriff. She thinks life has treated her unfairly, but she isn’t prepared for what comes next. Will cruel challenges refine her character or has bitterness already taken over?

Alan McKinnley thought he was a simple deputy. Now crime is spiraling out of control, the sheriff has disappeared, and all eyes are on Alan to protect the very people who doubt his abilities most. The odds are against him: to defeat a seasoned criminal mastermind, to protect the town, and to win Maryan’s heart. Must they both endure alone? Is it possible for love to grow in chaos?

Meanwhile, a deeper mystery is taking root; a mystery that reaches further than anyone suspects.

Who’s your favorite character in your book, and why?

Probably Alan. He’s got a lot going against him, but you keep rooting for him anyway. It tickles me when he gets very frustrated…which is more often than he deserves. 

The poor guy really needs someone to love him (are you listening, Maryan!?)

Which character do you identify with the most?

Maryan, hands down. In certain aspects of personality and in many of her struggles, she is like myself. However I am proud to say that I have never done what she does in chapter 1! (You can read a sample here!)

What’s your favorite scene from The Lawman’s Daughter?

To list my first choice for a favorite scene would be a complete spoiler! But I’ll give a second choice: the Currentsville squash feud. Against his will, Alan is sucked into a ridiculous scandel involving creaturish-looking vegetables and hurt feelings. As a new deputy trying to secure goodwill with the town, it’s the last thing he would have asked for. Little does he know it will be the least of his troubles…

What takeaway would you like readers to come away with after they read your book?  

I want them to be struck with how Alan and Maryan prioritize loving duty and courage in their lives. At times when I’m not sure I would rise to the occasion, they do. At times when it would be easier to shrink from a horrible situation, they don’t. I’ve actually found myself influenced multiple times by my characters…which sounds really silly (and it gives my brothers a laugh)…but because I’ve implemented my standards into my main character’s lives, they keep me true to what I believe.

This is your first published book. Are you going to write more?

Yes! In fact, I recently started the sequel to The Lawman’s Daughter!

Where can we find your book?
On Amazon, in paperback and E-book form!

✍🏼✍🏼✍🏼

Thanks so much, Lillian, for letting us peek behind the scenes into your writing life.

If you have questions for Lillian, ask it in the comments. Your question counts as an extra entry in the giveaway (so enter your name first and then create a separate comment for your question).

🔎I was a little disappointed by the number potential entrants that could have won the last author’s (Rebekah’s) book but entered as ANONYMOUS or did not supply an EMAIL as instructed below. Like, how do you think Lillian can contact you without an email? Right?

Include your email in the pre-posting box, so I can send Lillian the winning name and email. Random.org will choose the winner in a random drawing. Lillian will contact the winner (who has 48 hours to claim her prize) so she can get the mailing address (US mailing addresses only.)

Giveaway runs Thursday, January 15 – Thursday, January 22 @ 5pm CT. Winner announced Friday, January 23.

Quick review on how to enter a giveaway on Andi’s Blog using comments. Click “Leave a Reply,” as always. Write your entry as a comment. Then click the blue envelope icon. Write your first name and your email in the boxes. Anonymous entries will be deleted (Rebekah can’t contact you without your “hidden” contact information). If you are already a WordPress user, you just click the “W” icon. Easy-peasy. Good luck and have fun!