Five Western Side Characters Readers Want More Of by Caroline Clemmons

Five western side characters that readers want more of are the people who feel like they could carry a story all their own: the long-suffering ranch foreman, the competent saloon owner, the loyal best friend, the crusty older woman with a tender heart, and the mysterious drifter who keeps riding through town at the worst possible moments. These supporting characters deepen the world, raise the emotional stakes, and often steal scenes from the hero and heroine. When they are fully developed, readers start asking the same question: “When does this character get a book?”

Why side characters matter

Side characters are not just window dressing; they are the scaffolding that holds up the entire story world. A well-chosen supporting cast can:

• Reveal who the hero and heroine really are through contrast and conflict.
• Carry subplots that add richness, humor, and suspense to the main romance.
• Make the setting feel like a living town instead of a painted backdrop.

In western romance especially, townsfolk, ranch hands, lawmen, and family members show the realities of frontier life beyond the central love story. Readers come to care about the community as much as the couple, which is why they notice when a side character shines.

The steady ranch foreman

The ranch foreman is often the quiet backbone of a western story, the person who keeps the cattle, the cowhands, and sometimes the hero or heroine on track. He (or she) knows where every body is buried—figuratively and sometimes literally—which makes this character a natural candidate for a future lead.

Readers respond to a ranch foreman who:

• Understands the land and livestock better than anyone, but doubts anyone wants to hear his dreams.
• Offers gruff advice and wry humor that cuts tension in difficult scenes.
• Has unspoken feelings for someone entirely off-limits—a widow who owns the ranch, a lawman, or a best friend’s sibling.

Because this character is so reliable, readers instinctively trust him, and that trust easily carries into a wish for a full book centered on his long-delayed happiness.

The capable saloon keeper

Saloon keepers see everything: secrets, scandals, and the moments when people let their guard down over a glass of whiskey or a sarsaparilla. A capable saloon owner, whether male or female, often becomes the unofficial counselor of the town, doling out advice along with drinks.

What makes readers want more of this character:

• A sharp tongue and quick wit that mask old hurts and hard-earned wisdom.
• Connections to every layer of town life—lawmen, gamblers, traveling entertainers, and church ladies alike.
• A complicated moral code: willing to bend rules to protect the vulnerable but ruthless when facing bullies or cheats.

Because the saloon is such a central crossroads in many westerns, readers already know this character has a hundred stories to tell; they just want to see one of them take center stage.

The loyal best friend

The loyal best friend is the one who rides into danger without being asked, offers the spare bed without comment, and says the hard truths the hero or heroine does not want to hear. In romance craft discussions, this character is often cited as a key way to reveal the protagonist’s heart.

Readers quickly fall for a best friend who:

• Uses humor, sarcasm, or blunt honesty to puncture the hero’s stubbornness.
• Has their own quietly aching backstory—perhaps unrequited love or a dream they sacrificed for family.
• Shows up at the worst possible moment with exactly the right advice, tool, or distraction.

Because the best friend spends so much time on the page helping others find happiness, readers begin to root for that character to finally move from “supporting” to “starring.”

The crusty older woman

Western settings are full of widows, landladies, and aunts who seem prickly on the surface but hide a lifetime of endurance and love. This older woman may be the town midwife, a no-nonsense boardinghouse owner, or the aunt who raised the hero after his parents died.

Readers want more of her because she often:

• Acts as emotional ballast, keeping younger characters grounded in common sense.
• Hides a surprising romantic or adventurous history of her own—often hinted at but rarely fully explored.
• Delivers some of the most memorable lines in the book, mixing frontier practicality with sly humor.

A later-in-life romance or a story that reveals her past adventures can be deeply satisfying, especially for readers who crave mature characters with complex histories.

The mysterious drifter

The drifter rides into town with a past he will not talk about and skills that do not quite match his story. He might be a former outlaw, a burned-out lawman, or someone running from grief he cannot outride.

This character lingers in readers’ minds when he:

• Appears just long enough to save the day, then refuses thanks and tries to slip away.
• Shows flashes of tenderness toward children, animals, or vulnerable characters that hint at a softer core.
• Carries a secret that intersects with the town’s troubles—perhaps a hidden identity, a family connection, or unresolved guilt.

Because the drifter leaves with unanswered questions trailing behind him, readers naturally imagine the story that would finally reveal who he is and whether he ever finds a permanent home.

Turning side characters into future leads

When readers ask for more of a side character, it is a signal that the character already feels like the hero of another unseen story. Writers can build on that interest by:

• Planting small but clear hints of a personal goal or unresolved wound that does not get tied up in the current book.
• Giving the character a distinct voice, body language, and way of seeing the world.
• Allowing them one or two moments of emotional vulnerability on the page, even if the main romance takes center stage.

In series westerns, bringing a beloved side character forward into their own book also rewards loyal readers, who feel as if they have been waiting alongside that character for a happy ending.

The Serpent Series by S.Z. Estavillo

 

 

Every crime tells a story…

But not every killer is the villain.

The Serpent’s Order

The Serpent Series Book 4

by S.Z. Estavillo

Genre: Thriller, Romantic Suspense

An assassin bound by obedience. A detective marked for death. A cartel war with no survivors.

Von Schlange thought she’d escaped her past. Now Black Nova owns her—an elite, off-the-books task force where obedience is survival and failure means death. As their newest assassin, she’s unleashed on targets tied to Jaxon Ryker, a drug lord buried deep in the Alaskan wilds.

Her partner, Xander Holt, a former Navy SEAL with ice in his veins, lives by the same brutal code: no attachments, no lines crossed. But as missions turn bloody, the fragile boundary between partner and lover begins to blur—and desire becomes its own kind of danger.

Across the country, Detective Anaya Nazario faces a nightmare of her own. A synthetic “zombie drug,” deadlier than fentanyl and immune to Narcan, is ripping through Los Angeles. Her investigation exposes a network of dirty cops shielding Ryker’s empire—and puts a target squarely on her back.

Two women on opposite fronts. One war against corruption and cartel power. And a single truth—every betrayal leaves a body behind.

Explosive, unrelenting, and razor-sharp, The Serpent’s Order propels the Serpent Series into its most dangerous chapter yet—where justice is a myth, and survival comes at a price paid in blood.

 

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Twilight of the Serpent

The Serpent Series Book 3

Some predators hide in plain sight. Others hunt from the shadows.

Merrick Winslow is a decorated Army officer, a man of discipline and honor—or so he claims. When he reports that his ex-wife, Cheonsa Soo-Min, has been stalking him, no one questions his story. He paints her as unstable, vengeful, and dangerous, a woman consumed by obsession. But when two officers are gunned down with her own weapon, the truth becomes harder to see. With the law closing in, Cheonsa vanishes, fleeing to Rio de Janeiro, where she is taken in by Von Schlange, the vigilante thought to have disappeared for good.

Von has retired her vengeful ways, leaving behind a life of bloodshed to run a quiet veterinary clinic. But when Cheonsa’s past collides with Winslow’s lies, the two women begin to unravel a deadly deception—one that turns predator into prey. By the time Von uncovers the truth, an innocent life has already been taken.

Now, there’s only one thing left to do: find the real monster and make him pay.

Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, Detective Anaya Nazario and Supervising Special Agent Blake Huxley are adjusting to life as new parents. But after only four months of maternity leave, Nazario is pulled back into the field to investigate the murder of two officers. What should be a straightforward case quickly spirals into something far more sinister—secrets buried beneath the badge, a killer hiding behind a uniform, and a web of corruption stretching further than anyone expected.

As Nazario and Huxley chase down leads, their investigation intersects with a vigilante they once thought was dead. And this time, Von Schlange isn’t just seeking justice—she’s delivering retribution.

For fans of Karin Slaughter, Gillian Flynn, and Taylor Adams, Twilight of the Serpent delivers a high-stakes vigilante thriller packed with morally gray justice, relentless suspense, and a tangled web of deception. Perfect for readers who love strong female leads, intense cat-and-mouse chases, and dark psychological twists.

 

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The Serpent Woman

The Serpent Series Book 2

The exciting sequel to The Serpent's Bridge...

A serial killer is on the loose. With her insidious tattoo and venomous killer strike, they’re calling her the serpent woman.

Two of the best in their field, LAPD Detective Anaya Nazario and FBI Supervising Special Agent Blake Huxley are forced to work together yet again, despite their strained romantic history and a baby on the way. Together on a nationwide hunt, they must find this serpent woman before she strikes again.

But, as the cat-and-mouse chase evolves, Nazario and Huxley begin to realize that their killer is on a mission of vigilante justice and they must struggle with the question of who really deserves their justice: The killer, or her victims?

This dark thriller delves into the sensitive topics of sex trafficking, child abuse, animal death, sexual assault, graphic violence, and dead bodies. Reader discretion is advised.

 

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The Serpent’s Bridge

The Serpent Series Book 1 

Compelling dialogue, rich, gritty prose, and characters you won’t forget — if you loved The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest by Stieg Larsson, or Ink and Bone by Lisa Unger, you’ll love The Serpent’s Bridge.

Recovering alcoholic Detective Anaya Nazario remains haunted by her father's murder. Lucas Nazario was the highest-ranking Puerto Rican LAPD detective, and his case has gone unsolved for twenty-four years since his murder. When Mexican immigrants are targeted by a serial killer, Nazario senses a connection and fights to keep the leadless case open. The homicide investigation centers on Sanctuary Baptist, a church composed of immigrants led by Pastor Stan and his wife. Nazario's personal and professional worlds collide when she is compelled to collaborate with her former lover, Special Agent Blake Huxley. As their lives merge once more, the FBI and Detective Nazario stop at nothing to find a killer.

Is this the same monster who killed her father and left him for dead under a bridge?

Can she put a stop to the murders before more families lose loved ones?

 

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As a BIPOC thriller author, she previously parted amicably with her agent and, three months later, secured an eight-book deal with Oliver-Heber Books—now boasting 24,000 downloads in its first year and a BookRaid bestseller ranking in the thriller category. The Serpent Woman (Book 2) reached #1 on Amazon and topped all three of its categories. Her background spans literary agencies and TV studios, where she contributed to greenlit screenplays that became Lifetime movies. She holds a Master’s in Television, Radio, and Film, has taught author branding workshops (L.A. Writer’s Conference, North Texas RWA), and maintains a 100K+ social media following.

 

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Three Cozy Evening Rituals for Western Romance Readers by Caroline Clemmons

 

Cozy evening rituals make Western romances feel even more comforting, turning your reading time into a small daily escape to the Old West. 

Three cozy rituals 

1. Create a Western‑themed reading nook 

Set up a simple reading corner that you use mostly for Western romance. A comfortable chair, soft blanket, and warm lamp or fairy lights are enough to make it feel special, even if it is just one end of your sofa.  

You can add small touches that echo the stories you love—maybe a horseshoe paperweight, a small framed photo of a Western landscape, or a candle with a warm, woodsy scent. When you sit there with a Caroline Clemmons book, your brain starts to recognize, “This is my time to unwind and visit the West for a while.” 

2. Pair your book with a “prairie pantry” treat 

Turning reading into a tiny ritual snack break makes it feel like more of an event. Before you start your chapter, fix a simple “prairie pantry” treat and a warm drink to enjoy slowly while you read. 

You might choose hot tea, cocoa, or coffee along with something that feels a little rustic or homemade—shortbread, cornbread, nuts, or cookies. The point is not a fancy recipe but a small, cozy habit that tells you, “It’s time to put my feet up with my favorite Western couple.” 

3. End the night with a few pages of a comfort reread 

Many readers find that rereading favorite romances at night feels like catching up with dear friends. You already know the couple will get their happily‑ever‑after, so you can relax into the story instead of worrying about how the conflict will turn out. 

Pick one or two of your favorite Western romances and designate them as your “evening comfort reads.” On nights when you are tired or stressed, read just a scene or a chapter you love—maybe the first meeting, the big declaration, or a quiet moment on the porch—and let that be the last story you hear before sleep.  

Check out my website, CarolineClemmons.com, for a list of Western Romances to choose from for your evening rituals.

Fated to the Wolf Prince by April L. Moon

Fated to the Wolf Prince: A Fated Mates Wolf Shifter Paranormal Romance (The Hunted Omegas Book 1)

by April L Moon

Buy Link

Book Blurb:

Great Pack Gathering. Three little words, one mandate that ruined my life.

I'm a doctor and a researcher. My pack is small, in a quiet part of central Texas. It's a simple existence, and I like it that way. It's just me and my two besties, living our best single lives.

That is, until the mandate comes. Every unmated wolf in the entire world, called to one place. I'm a psi, the weakest designation there is. I can barely shift, and there's no chance of me getting matched—only humiliated.

It can't get worse, until it does. I've barely made it off the bus when I lock eyes with the hottest wolf I've ever seen, and he reeks of power. There's no way he'll be interested in me, a psi wolf who can barely hold her shift.

Until my wolf starts acting crazy, my magic goes on the fritz, and I'm suddenly wielding way more power than a lowly psi. Goddess only knows what's going on, but there isn't much time for me to figure it out.

Oh, and there's one more little thing. Mr. Hottie McPowerful? He's the prince of the shifter world, and my fated mate, whether he wants to be, or not.

One-click now to dive into this steamy wolf-shifter romance.

★★★★★

If you love:

Wolf Shifters

Fated Mates (but not insta-love)

IYTHIKY ✨ Vibes ✨

Cinnamon Roll Hero

Supportive Girl Besties

This is the book for you!

★★★★★

This new paranormal romance from April L. Moon contains a HEA for our main couple. The story arc spans multiple books, but each one contains a new couple and a new romance, while still bringing in familiar faces until our world's problems are solved.

Review:

This is a cute romantasy that stays interesting not just in this book, but in the other books of the series.  I read werewolf romances as my guilty pleasure.  The premise for this one holds throughout the book and the series.  If you are looking for a fast read to curl up with some stormy evening, this is a good book to have.

 

Exile by AK Nevermore

 

 

Together or not at all.

Exile

The Price of Talent Book 5

by AK Nevermore

Genre: Spicy Dystopian Romance

Together or not at all.

 

On an alternate earth, a cataclysm has altered a subset of the population. Talents are persecuted for their psychic and physical mutations, giving rise to two conflicting societies based upon maintaining genetic purity. And the Source, a shadowy corporate entity dependent upon the exploitation of captive Talents, is hunting them…

Flynn Scot is spiraling.

After a cataclysmic chain of events and devastating loss, Flynn’s grasp on reality is slipping. Backed into a corner by the Assembly and his sanity called into question, the threat of exile and having his talent stripped endangers not only him, but any chance he might have of getting his family back…if they’re not already past saving.

Deep in stasis, Kara’s fate is uncertain.

Stolen away and in the clutches of a madman, Kara’s future depends solely upon Titus’s sufferance. With unfettered access to her genome, his attention is fixated upon the next iteration of Talents—especially after events in the North change her status from prize to bait.

Because Flynn is coming for her, and he’s not coming alone.

 

 

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Cal grimaced and climbed to his feet as Glynfyls stopped shaking. He clutched his breast, groping for the ward Miriam had set some thirty-odd years ago that tied Flynn back to him. Please, God… Cal exhaled, his knees buckling in relief. Still there. Felt different, but the boy wasn’t dead.

Not yet at least.

His gaze slid from the calamity outside the window to the blood spattered across the wall and the gore-soaked carpet. In the unlikely event House Scot survived the next seventy-two hours, the whole damned room would have to be gutted. He dropped the last of his cigarette and ground it out beside Cordelia Kerns’s corpse.

And if they didn’t survive, screw the resale value. What a goddamned mess.

“Here’s a spot, there’s a spot…” he muttered to himself, bastardizing lines from his brief stint in community theater. Seemed appropriate. He couldn’t clearly remember his last wife’s smile or the faces of any of the children he’d buried, but every goddamned line from that play, every goddamned moment he’d spent with her, was seared into his memory in high goddamned definition.

Her. Elize. Lizzy. His Lilith.

Cal ran a shaking hand down his face. Squatted. Knees cracking, he leaned forward to lower Kerns’s lids and cover the look of surprise in her grayed-over baby blues, his gaze locking on the imprint of a bloody crescent between her brows—

A flash of memory—the same mark on his second wife—hit him hard.

He stumbled into a chair and pulled out his pouch of tobacco, cursing the tremor in his hands. Fingers fumbling, he threw aside the botched attempt. Deep breath. Rolled another. It was passible, barely. He lit it. Blew out a frenetic puff of smoke and spat tobacco from his lip.

His gaze drifted back to Kerns’s corpse. Another woman with her throat slit. Wasn’t related to Julia’s earlier demise, but that wouldn’t stop Crandall and the city’s rumor mill from having a goddamned field day with it.

Christ. Between that and Flynn’s tantrum destroying everything as far as the eye could see, House Scot was on borrowed time.

And when the press caught wind of Kara’s abduction, it would be worse.

What a clusterfuck. If there’d been any place to go, Cal would’ve started packing his bags, but this time, there wasn’t. Jane—Mother—had made sure of that.

He blew out a ragged stream of smoke and glanced at the couch as he brought the sad excuse for a cigarette to his lips again. Kara’s cat glared back. Miserable animal was wrapped around Fitz’s throat with its green eyes narrowed. Cal frowned at the rise and fall of the boy’s chest. Looked like taking pity on fuck ups was still part of Elize’s MO.

Not that the boy was losing any sleep over his brush with death. He was sawing wood like he didn’t have a care in the world thanks to Nora’s induced coma. Must be nice.

Cal took another drag, cursing himself and the lingering scent of Elize’s perfume. The barest hint of bergamot dragging his mind back to that first summer they’d met. To the stolen kisses during rehearsals. To the way the lighting had hit the curve of her cheek and the look she’d throw over her shoulder as she sauntered into the wings. Christ, that still got his dick hard.

Too bad her seduction had been as much of a role as the one she’d played on stage.

He’d hauled sets around the whole damned summer for that shit, podunk production to be close to her. Senator Dashell’s daughter. What she’d seen in the son of a pig farmer—Christ. In retrospect, he knew exactly what she’d seen. Or rather, what her father had. Man hadn’t blinked twice at pimping her out for twelve hundred acres just outside of town where the Corporation could build their research facility.

And damn them, but they’d gotten it.

Why her and her brother had stuck around after, slumming with the five of them—

Cal shook his head, staring at the blood pooling beneath Kerns. What was done, was done, and his hands had never been clean. No. He’d been up to his goddamned elbows in this shit from the get-go, but this right here? This was gonna sink him and everything he’d worked for since.

As intended.

He fished the slip of paper Elize had left on Kara’s pillow from his breast pocket, his fingers shying from the braid coiled beside it. Entwined E’s on the letterhead and beneath the monogram, a set of coordinates with four damning words.

 

40°49’26.99” N-73°55’20.99” W

Queen takes pawn.

Check.

 

Elize…Enoch…the twins were just pieces, not who he’d been playing against. Cal stroked a heavy hand over his mustache. Knowing the message for the invitation it was.

Jane had made her move, and now it was his. For better or worse, the endgame had begun.

**Don’t miss the rest of the series!**

Find out more at the Author’s Website!

https://aknevermore.com/books/

 

**FREEBIE ALERT! - Get the prequel- Breeder FREE!!**

https://aknevermore.com/books/breaker/breeder/

 

AK Nevermore enjoys operating heavy machinery, freebases coffee, and gives up sarcasm for Lent every year. A Jane-of-all-trades, she’s a certified chef, restores antiques, and dabbles in beekeeping when she’s not reading voraciously or running down the dream in her beat-up camo Chucks.

Unable to ignore the voices in her head, and unwilling to become medicated, she writes Science Fiction and Fantasy full time.

She pays the bills editing, wielding a wicked hot pink pen and writing a column on SFF. She also belongs to the Authors Guild, is a chapter treasurer for the RWA, teaches creative writing, and on the rare occasion, sleeps.

 

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