Character Spotlight: The Many Layers of Jane Davies

Welcome back to the frontier! As I draft the sequel to Beautiful Wilderness, I’m spending a lot of time with Jane Davies. In my recent IG post, I mentioned her move west to escape her old life. But there's more beneath the surface—especially for someone like Jane.

Complexity and Contradiction

Jane is full of contradictions. She might seem uptight or haughty due to her upbringing. However, the wilderness has revealed her best traits:

• Adaptable & Resourceful: She’s swapped tea and violins for ranch duties.

• Adventurous: She embraced the unknown by moving west.

• Loyal: Once she gives her word, she stands by it.

The Shadows of the Past

Jane’s journey is challenging. After her father’s gambling losses and death, she was left with no home, escaping a contractual marriage in the first book. Yet, shadows of the past linger as we enter Book 2, particularly Jane's former fiancé Alistair Breckenridge.

A New Chapter: Motherhood and Love

The sequel opens with Jane and Adam happily married. Jane fears becoming like her mother or that Adam’s love is conditional on her bearing a son.

Despite these fears, Jane’s deep love for Adam drives her. She wants to be a strong wife and good mother, even if she fears failing.

What do you think? Can a city girl find peace on a ranch, or will her past always follow her? I’d love to hear your thoughts on Jane’s evolution!