Defiant Heart

Westward Hearts #1

by Tracey Bateman

In Book One of the Westward Hearts series, orphans Fannie Caldwell and her two young siblings have spent the last three years as indentured servants under a cruel master. Desperately wanting a better life for her brother and sister, Fannie devises a plan to secretly join a wagon train heading west. Her plan immediately runs into trouble when the handsome yet bullheaded wagon master Blake Tanner refuses to allow an unmarried woman on the train. But Fannie's determined – she'll escape and go west with or without help.

As life on the trail tests everyone's endurance and faith, Fannie soon realizes the perils of being a single woman on the frontier. Witnessing Fannie fending off one scare after another, Blake slowly recognizes how much he cares for this alluring young woman. Will Blake sacrifice his own dreams and guide Fannie to safety? Or will Fannie's stubborn independence keep her from finding true love?

SERIES DESCRIPTION:

Westward Hearts follows three strong women as they struggle to survive on the rough wagon train and lose their hearts to unlikely heros along the way.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Romance, Christian, Historical, Historical Romance, Fiction

258 pages, Paperback

First published May 8, 2007

About the author

Tracey Bateman is also published as Tracey Cross, is the Christy award-winning author of more than thirty titles and has nearly a million books in print. She lives in Missouri's Ozarks with her husband and four children.

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical historical romance with a Western theme: Wagon-Train! With Spunky Down-on-Their-Luck Single Women! And Hunky Confirmed Bachelors Who Must Save These Spunky Ladies! With a Splash of Orphans! Stay Tuned for the Sequel: Savage Indians! Tired Oxen! More Spunk!

Of course, I was sucked into the drama. Is it wrong to say that gentle reads (i.e. Christian fiction) are like crack for me?

[Petrichor · Rating 1 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first two books in Tracey Bateman's Drama Queens series and found them quite funny, so I was pleased to find this at my library. Alas, the humor from the other series is missing, and in its place are cliches, Feisty Women, and Rugged and Masculine Men.

[Teresa Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. It had a great story line and it wasn't one of those books that makes you so nervous you want to chew your nails before its finished. For me, I'm glad to be reading the book / series years after it was released; otherwise, I might have been slightly upset with the ending. Not because it wasn't a happy ending. It was for Blake and Fannie - happy, but not complete / finished - but left us wondering about Toni and some of the others. Lucky for me I also have the remaining two books in the series. Looking forward to seeing how energy thing turns out.

[Mayda · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been a hard life for Fannie and her siblings, being indentured servants to a hard-hearted man who won’t let them go. But Fannie is determined free herself and her siblings from bondage. Her chance comes in the form a westward bound wagon train. Though much of this story is typical – brave, young woman meets handsome but stubborn man, outcome: romance – it is still an enjoyable and exciting story. Not all that happens is pleasant, and not all is easily predictable. A variety of well-developed characters in interesting situations makes it a good beginning to a promising series.

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and would have given it 3.5 starts if I could. It is a quick read and the characters are well-developed. My only complaint was once again the end felt a bit rushed after the climatic part of the plot. Overall though I would recommend this book. I look forward to reading book two of this series.

[Mum · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was trite, and not really credible. There was a lack of believable male characters. It started fine, but it fell flat.

[(Liene) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice, short little book. :)

[Traci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this

[Debbie Sue · Rating 1 out of 5]

not really much to like about this book. It is Extremely violent and the "hero" Blake is a jerk. wont read it again and i dont recommend it

[Nora St Laurent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Orphan Fannie Caldwell and her twin siblings are trapped in an indentured servant relationship with a cruel master. Fannie desperately wants a better life for her siblings. They have to escape the abuse they have endured. Fannie comes up with a plan to secretly join a wagon train heading west. Her plan runs into a snag called Blake Tanner the wagon master. Seems he has rules about allowing unmarried woman on the train. But Fannie's determined to leave her abusive situation. She has planned and saved for 2 years. Tonight was the night no matter what that wagon master said. She had to be set free.

Fannie had not thought long and hard about life on the frontier as a single woman. Life on the trail tests every part of Fannie’s body and soul. Will the wagon master let her join the wagon train? Will she make the wagon’s final destination Oregon or have to settle for some other town?

Will Blake sacrifice his own dreams and guide Fannie to safety? Or will Fannie's stubborn independent spirit keep her from finding peace and true love in her life? Get reading to find out the answers to these questions. I could see this as a TV movie special. I look forward to reading the rest in the series.

Disclosure of Material Connection: #AD sponsored by publisher.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com

[Margaret Chind · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book ends very abruptly to me it seems, but... I have the sequel on my bookshelf, so I'm okay. Fannie's life has seen rough days, she has lost both of her parents, left to take care of her younger twin siblings and sold by her supposed loving step-father immediately after her mother's death in childbirth to a stillborn. The man the three children were indentured to let the year of the contract end date come and go and the future looked bleak for nothing would change for Fannie and her dear brother and sister. Living in their small sin-filled town Fannie decides to join the next wagon trail headed west out of their Kansas town. It proves to be more difficult than expected. First denied, then accepted, and while taking the journey west is difficult enough Fannie, her new friend and ex-Fancy woman Tori shares the fate of being chased by a man that believes his ownership of her work and body. From a plausible new love when Fannie vows that all men are alike and want one thing, to a near drowning, then a tornado, will they all get through this alive? And when Fannie and her siblings ever be free? What of Tori and her future, will she get a second chance on life or always be ruined? All these questions and more are answered and leaving you thirsting for more from Tracey Bateman's new series. And of course, God works his ways in many ways, but this is not an overbearing preachy book. It's just wonderful. And now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to finish the second in this series...

[Rachel Brand · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish this book had been longer as I seemed to speed through it far too fast, and the ending felt a little rushed. Aside from that, this was a sweet, touching and funny story that will please many fans of western romances.

I did wish the romantic aspect had been a bit stronger, as Blake and Fannie seemed to go from hating each other to admitting that they actually cared for each other rather fast. Then again, it probably was fitting for the time period and the situation--how exactly do you court someone on a wagon train?

I was tempted to rate this book lower as the storyline is rather predictable and the spiritual aspect felt like it had been tossed in at the last minute, but the book did touch on some serious issues (prostitution, abuse, slavery, racism, etc) and it left me wanting to know what would happen to some of the secondary characters. I'll definitely be on the look out for Toni's story.

All in all, this was a satisfying western romance which covered a surprising number of topics for such a short novel, as well as being a quick and easy read. 3.5*

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

great fast read and first in the series. Fannie has lived in survitude for 3 years after her step father was paid $50 for a two year bargon for herself and her younger twin siblings. Shes has secretly been saving and putting supplies up in the wagon for her escape when a wagon train comes as an answer to prayer.Blake the wagon master isn't convinced a first to allow her and her siblings along because there isn't an able man to accompany them and especially not with the saloon girl wantabe reformed woman that will come along too. They trail along after the wagon train and Blake relents and sets them in a line. Trouble follows with the saloon owner and Tom the man that has enslaved Fannie in more ways than one. Fannie breaks down Blakes heart defenses and Blake breaks down Fannies walls for trusting.

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fannie Caldwell was an indentured servant for the last 3 years. However when her contract expired last year, the hateful man who owns her and her siblings, refused to let them go.
Now, Fannie is determined to do anything to get away. She sets out to join a wagon train heading for Oregon.
Blake Turner is a the wagon master of a 250 wagon procession across the plains heading west. He is determined to keep his train's reputation clean by taking no trouble makers and especially no single women!
However, when Fannie begs and pleads to join his group, he just can't quite bring himself to say no, especially when her very life seems to be in danger.
Danger on the trail, clashing of wills, this book is sure to entertain.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I prefer reading over audio books. But I listen to a lot of books only because my exercise is walking and of course I would rather listen to a book than music. But I usually just tolerate the narrators because I tend to get distracted when a man tries to sound like a woman or whatever. But I just have to say that Katherine Kellgren was awesome. I can't wait to listen to other books that she has narrated.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked how this book grabbed me from the beginning and did not let go. (You know a book is good when you plan to read 2 chapters before bedtime, and all of a sudden, you've read 5!) I could relate to the characters (even though this was set in the 1800s), and cared what happened to them. There was a bit of romance, some adventure, a dash of danger, and friendships galore. I'm definitely going to be finishing the rest of the series ASAP! (4.5 stars if I could!)

[Strawberry · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a quick one day read, but I didn't think the ending believable. Blake's threat of Blythe Creek should have been fulfilled in the story not the ending readers were left with. Neither did I like that this was one of those book that their hero doesn't state his feeling until the last chapter. If you're looking for something more romantic than a one kiss book, try Deeanna Gist, Tamera Alexander or Julie Lessman, not Tracey Bateman.

[Phoena · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is just a pioneer somewhat-religious romance novel about a wagon train headed to Oregon. It's one of those throw-away books you read on a trip or when sick in bed for a couple of days. It's mildly entertaining but not terribly exciting.

There are two more books in the series about two other couples in the wagon train, but I didn't bother to read the other two.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a nice, mindless, easy read. A sweet pioneer love story where the guy gets the girl and you can read it all in one day. Fun series. Kind of like, "Kelly's Chance" that I just finished last night.

[Karen Fonville · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an Excellent book. Light, engaging, and easy to read, while providing some deeper themes to think about. I started and finished it in one night, and am looking forward to reading more. Thanks, Tracey, for following the call.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed all three books in Westward Heart series. Fannie & Blake, Toni & Sam, and Ginger & Grant were each unique yet similar strong characters with not-so-perfect pasts. Don't know which was my favorite.

[Tausha · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

This book really drew me in, but there were several things that rubbed me wrong. I loved the spunk of the heroine, but the bad guys were truly nasty! The ending seemed very abrupt. I liked it, but haven't decided if I want to read the next one.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read with lots of action all the time. I did enjoy it, but gave it a 3 because it seemed far-fetched and even silly at times. The main female does something at the end that seems abruptly out of character and a little nonsensical.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first book in the Westward Hearts series. An enjoyable read.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Predictable, but a fun, clean read.

[SheLove2Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Similar to Karen Kingsbury - Christian fiction.

[Tressa (Wishful Endings) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Pioneer story about a girl, her friend, and her siblings who join a wagon train.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first in a series, and I enjoyed it. A quick read, not heavy, it was nice.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great light read. Can't wait to read the next in the series.