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Change of Heart
1850s Marietta Randolf travels from Chicago to Nebraska to collect her orphaned nephew Zack. When a snow storm delays her return trip, she finds herself stranded in an unappealing land with a very appealing rancher, Jase Kent. 5 Stars from Simegen, 5 Hearts from the Romance Studio, 5 Stars from CataRomance, 5 Cups from Coffee Time Romance
110 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 18, 2008
About the author
Fran Shaff
39 books10 followersJust about all of us want to get away from the demands of everyday life from time to time. Unfortunately, most of us don’t have the luxury of being able to take off to some new, exciting place whenever we feel the urge--unless we like to read.
A book can take us anywhere we’d like to go. For readers who enjoy living vicariously in pastimes or in modern times Fran Shaff provides a great escape in the more than twenty novels she’s published over the years. Fran’s fictional books have won awards from readers, reviewers and fellow authors, and her non-fiction has been acknowledged in this way too.
Love is the main focus of all of Fran’s books, whether they’re contemporary or historical, serious or humorous, written for adults or teens. Love between men and women and among friends and families is featured in her books because there is nothing most of us want more than to love and be loved. Happy endings abound, but the journey to reaching that joyful final moment is always a rocky struggle, just the way we want our fiction (even though we could do without the drama in our real lives).
Look for new, full-length historical romance novels from Fran Shaff in the ten-book “Tender Mysteries Series,” available now and debuting throughout 2013 and 2014. The first novel in the series “Resurrected” is available as a free download at most Internet bookstores. The series is available in single e-book and two-pack paperback formats.
Reviewers say:
“Ms. Shaff is a gifted writer that always delivers in her stories.” (The Romance Studio)
“I have discovered a great new author in Fran Shaff. She writes with depth and understanding and digs deep into the emotional lives of her characters bringing the reader with her all the way.” (A Romance Review)
“Fran Shaff is a wonderful writer whose prose speak with passion from her heart.” (Fallen Angel Reviews)
“Ms. Shaff writes about characters that warm your heart and give you a good chuckle as well.” (Coffee Time Romance)
A book can take us anywhere we’d like to go. For readers who enjoy living vicariously in pastimes or in modern times Fran Shaff provides a great escape in the more than twenty novels she’s published over the years. Fran’s fictional books have won awards from readers, reviewers and fellow authors, and her non-fiction has been acknowledged in this way too.
Love is the main focus of all of Fran’s books, whether they’re contemporary or historical, serious or humorous, written for adults or teens. Love between men and women and among friends and families is featured in her books because there is nothing most of us want more than to love and be loved. Happy endings abound, but the journey to reaching that joyful final moment is always a rocky struggle, just the way we want our fiction (even though we could do without the drama in our real lives).
Look for new, full-length historical romance novels from Fran Shaff in the ten-book “Tender Mysteries Series,” available now and debuting throughout 2013 and 2014. The first novel in the series “Resurrected” is available as a free download at most Internet bookstores. The series is available in single e-book and two-pack paperback formats.
Reviewers say:
“Ms. Shaff is a gifted writer that always delivers in her stories.” (The Romance Studio)
“I have discovered a great new author in Fran Shaff. She writes with depth and understanding and digs deep into the emotional lives of her characters bringing the reader with her all the way.” (A Romance Review)
“Fran Shaff is a wonderful writer whose prose speak with passion from her heart.” (Fallen Angel Reviews)
“Ms. Shaff writes about characters that warm your heart and give you a good chuckle as well.” (Coffee Time Romance)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
July 9, 2017
Change of heart
I really enjoyed this book. Being an Aunt and great Aunt, I understand how the heroin of this book was willing to give up her life for the happiness of her nephew and also the fear of giving up everything she knows for only the happiness of another individual. If the decision was required of me, I'd experience the same trepidation that Marietta faced in this story. Well written, kept my attention, kept me wanting more 😳
I really enjoyed this book. Being an Aunt and great Aunt, I understand how the heroin of this book was willing to give up her life for the happiness of her nephew and also the fear of giving up everything she knows for only the happiness of another individual. If the decision was required of me, I'd experience the same trepidation that Marietta faced in this story. Well written, kept my attention, kept me wanting more 😳
December 17, 2021
I was almost turned off reading this by the cover, but I am glad I persisted. Yes, everything was told rather than shown, but, in this story, I think it worked. This was a very gentle romance between a woman who travels to Nebraska to collect her nephew and the man who had been looking after him. Marietta’s sister and brother-in-law had been brutally killed and that further justifies her fear of giving into emotion. Much of the story is from her perspective, even though told in third person. Jase is a very gentle farmer and frontier-man, allowing her to make her decisions and willing to abide by them, even though his life would never be the same.
November 7, 2023
Change of Heart
Marietta didn't remember what was behind but was afraid of what was ahead. This fear blinded her temporarily. God has not given us a spirit of fear but of love, power, and a sound mind. When she allowed the sound mind, love, and power to reign she knew what was best. This is how life is. It's a multiple choice test - Yes or No, True or False, Good or Evil, Right or Wrong, etc. You live with your choices.
Marietta didn't remember what was behind but was afraid of what was ahead. This fear blinded her temporarily. God has not given us a spirit of fear but of love, power, and a sound mind. When she allowed the sound mind, love, and power to reign she knew what was best. This is how life is. It's a multiple choice test - Yes or No, True or False, Good or Evil, Right or Wrong, etc. You live with your choices.
April 28, 2018
A book worth your time!
May 27, 2025
The story was well crafted and believable. It was enjoyable way to pass a lazy afternoon.
The characters were each distinct and “in character” all the way through.
The characters were each distinct and “in character” all the way through.
July 14, 2011
Takes place around 1850 in Nebraska. It's a lovely story, easily read in one day. It's about a young boy orphaned in the Nebraska territory and his aunt from chicago who comes to take care of him. They were suppose to go back to Chicago, but weather prevents them leaving right away, giving the boy (and his aunt) more time to spend with his parents best friend, someone the boy has grown to love. Together, the three end up deciding they'd make a better family together, then apart.
(ebook found free from smashwords.com)
(ebook found free from smashwords.com)
October 21, 2011
This was an enjoyable little romance, but the writing style bothered me. It seemed stilted, unnatural, and choppy. Although all the characters were decent and likeable, they were not well-developed and seemed a bit flat and wooden. The author tended to state rather than develop and show. The story was cute, entertaining, but nothing memorable, and since the story had little action and was more character driven than plot driven, characters who felt more warm and real would have made for a much better book.
October 6, 2011
This is a sweet romance story of Marietta who's life is changed when she comes to collect her nephew after her sister's death. Her life back home is not upset as well and she begins to have feelings for Jase who had been caring for her nephew. She has to overcome a lifetime of teaching my her mother and find the courage to grab hold of a dream.
Read
April 2, 2012Although this had some promising reviews, I have never been a fan of the arrogant heroine. Looking down your nose at other's circumstances because you supposedly come from better stock and disparaging love between two people because it doesn't fit your own views? I have too many books to read for that kind of attitude even if she is redeemed in the end. DNF.
Want to Read
January 23, 20161850's nebraska, orphaned nephew, snowstorm, romance blossoms,
115p 1850s Nebraska: Marietta Randolf travels from Chicago to Nebraska to collect her orphaned nephew Zack. When a snow storm delays her return trip, she finds herself stranded in an unappealing land with a very appealing rancher, Jase Kent.
115p 1850s Nebraska: Marietta Randolf travels from Chicago to Nebraska to collect her orphaned nephew Zack. When a snow storm delays her return trip, she finds herself stranded in an unappealing land with a very appealing rancher, Jase Kent.
August 10, 2012
Really, this was just a super-sappy story. I'm thinking it was a free Kindle book. Steve just laughed when I would groan over every little thing. It was cliche and just far too over-the-top for me. I'm glad it was short- I have a hard time giving up on books!
September 19, 2012
When will I learn to lower my expectations of free Kindle books? Frankly I don't remember even downloading it but I was stuck and needed something to read.... I should have found a crossword puzzle instead!
December 9, 2012
A pleasant little romance set in turn-of-the-century South Dakota. I liked the fact that it was a romance instead of a sex story as so many modern 'romances' are, but I found it a little too 'formula.'
July 19, 2015
This was a pretty fast OK read.
I felt the characters and plot were easy to identify and the whole story was very predictable, if not dated.
But absolutely fine if you just want a quickie romance western novel.
I felt the characters and plot were easy to identify and the whole story was very predictable, if not dated.
But absolutely fine if you just want a quickie romance western novel.
October 19, 2015
I just couldn't read this book. Sanctimonious people turn me off...whether in real life or in books. I've tagged with "could-not-finish". When I realized I did not like either of the lead characters, I quit.
April 7, 2011
not bad a little stuff but all in all a good read
June 16, 2011
I loved it!! I wish the story was longer. I want to read more books by this author.
July 20, 2011
It's just a cute little love story, nothing exceptionally original, but worth reading anyway.
August 22, 2011
A nice story about unexpected love and learning to trust your heart:)
October 19, 2011
Classic western romance and I loved it. City girl (well woman really ) meets cowboy in the wilds of Nebraska where she has traveled to collect her recently orphaned nephew.
October 22, 2011
I enjoyed this book, a historical western romance. Which is my favorite.
November 2, 2011
Nice read
November 4, 2011
Romance set in the covered wagon era. Loved the characters and storyline, especially the little boy. Free Kindle book.
January 30, 2012
It was a cute story that moved along well, but quite short.
February 13, 2012
It was shorter than I wanted it to be, but I really enjoyed the book.
March 16, 2012
Enjoyable clean western romance. Nice interaction betwee the three main characters. Conclusion was predictabel but nicely done. This would be a pleasant weekend read.
March 26, 2012
An ok story of woman caught between what she thinks she should do and what she wants to do.
June 20, 2012
A very sweet tale that was a very good read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews