Totally Bound speaks exclusively to Bailey Bradford about her new release, Broncs and Bullies
What was the inspiration for this latest novel?
Redemption. People can change. It might not happen very often, but it is possible. Duke was a bully when he was a kid. He turned that around and has been trying to make up for it for a long time. Forgiveness, self-growth. Frankie hurt Jody without an outward show of regret, really, and he had to deal with that and the repercussions from it.
This is book six in the Mossy Glenn Ranch Series, it is interesting how you have revisited Jody Bates’ story from Riding and Regrets. In Broncs and Bullies Frankie helps to take on the father role for Jody’s young daughter Prissy. Were you interested in exploring the relationship between gay men and fatherhood?
That’s part of it, to bring it out in a story. It was also to show the continuity of the people on the Mossy Glenn as a whole, too. They are all aware of the value and importance of family and friends, or they’re learning it. And, I’ve seen more cowboys melt for a small child’s smile. It’s heart-warming and brings to mind that we are all capable of great love and compassion if we allow ourselves those freedoms.
This was a very thought-provoking novel in how Frankie supports his family throughout. This series is all centred in Montana, are you interested in exploring the social and economic dynamics which your characters face as ranch hands?
I’m interested in exploring everything about them. There is nothing like losing myself in a story as I’m writing it, hearing the characters in my head, seeing them play in my mind. It’s almost like a movie reel going on up there; I see and hear what’s happening as I write it.
Duke and Frankie have a very deep, loving relationship that we see develop throughout the novel. Often Frankie disparages the relationship as he is not interested in “the daddy thing”. Was it important to you to develop a relationship between the characters that showed that age was immaterial?
It didn’t start out as an important part of the story, but as the characters grew, it became a part of Frankie—and Frankie would use just about any excuse to keep anyone from getting close to him. The age issue was the only one he really had against a relationship with Duke, but even that didn’t hold up. Age can be an issue in a relationship, as can anything else—finances, education, religion, anything people let get in the way. But if they want to be together, they’ll work at it and keep from letting those issues separate them. It’s not always easy; relationships aren’t. Loving someone makes it worth all the trials.
Was it important for you to give Duke and Frankie a happy ever after?
They deserved it. Too often in real life, the good people don’t get what they deserve. I want my stories to convey a sense of love, kindness, happiness, so that readers feel happy themselves when they’ve finished the books.
What can readers expect from you next with Totally Bound?
There are a few different things coming up. There’s Texas & Tarantulas, the sequel to Dark Nights & Headlights, available Sept. 5th for pre-release and Oct. 3 for general release. Then Spotless 3: Home, pre-releasing Oct. 10 and general release Nov. 7th (I’ll be at a Rufus Wainwright concert that day, woot! Double celebration!). Unexpected Moments is coming out in November at some point, I believe. That’s a continuation of Carter and Eddie’s story, from the Unexpected Places, the new imprint from Totallybound’s What’s His Passion?
After that, the first book in a new series, Coyote Call, will be coming out. There will be another Southwestern Shifter book this year, too, and in Januray/February, the first book in another new series will be coming out. So I’ll be pretty busy, which makes me happy.
Broncs and Bullies is available to buy now. Click here.
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