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Winter Hearts
Leaving her abusive husband for dead, Libby O'Hanlon flees to a new town to become the new schoolmistress and, despite her fears of being traced to her old life, falls for Sheriff Matt Brandon, but the arrival of her husband could destroy their happiness. Original.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
2 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Maureen McKade
21 books35 followersMaureen McKade has been making up stories since the moment she learned to read, write and string sentences together. Her first book, "Winter Hearts", published in 1997 was a finalist in the Romance Writers of America's (RWA) Golden Heart contest, then a finalist in RWA's RITA for best first book. Since then, she's written thirteen more books and a short story for an anthology.
She taught middle school science for three years then held a variety of jobs--bookstore clerk, administrative assistant, customer service manager, department manager, and pharmacy technician--until she settling on writing. (Or, more aptly, until writing settled on her.)
Maureen and her husband, a retired Air Force officer, now live on 40 nature-filled acres in southwestern North Dakota with their two French Brittany Spaniels and three cats. Her eclectic list of leisure pursuits include long walks with hubby and their two dogs, reading, wildlife watching, golfing, bird hunting, and puttering around in the kitchen.
She taught middle school science for three years then held a variety of jobs--bookstore clerk, administrative assistant, customer service manager, department manager, and pharmacy technician--until she settling on writing. (Or, more aptly, until writing settled on her.)
Maureen and her husband, a retired Air Force officer, now live on 40 nature-filled acres in southwestern North Dakota with their two French Brittany Spaniels and three cats. Her eclectic list of leisure pursuits include long walks with hubby and their two dogs, reading, wildlife watching, golfing, bird hunting, and puttering around in the kitchen.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 9, 2016
Maureen McKade's Winter Hearts. Just finished it. It was a challenge to finish, and maybe I am way out there in left field with this, but Maureen went above and beyond making us hear how pneumonia had almost claimed the good sheriff, including all the sweats and struggles, and then after a week or so of him not being let out of bed, he makes his way somehow to her and starts making out with the heroine. I ggguuueesss we are suppose to get turned on by this luscious act of his hands all over her, his tongue in her mouth, him saying how sweet her mouth is , and the whole time I am thinking.. he has not brushed his teeth or cleaned up after over a week of being sick... bleah.. If she would have just put a scene in there where he used the toilet and took a sponge bath or she gave him one, I think I could have fell for it. But at the beginning of the book she indicated he did not keep things very clean or swept in his office. So ... It gave off the odor of the old west I really do not want to think about all that hard.
January 21, 2026
I very much enjoyed this book. While it did start slow, it got really interesting as Libby, the heroine, started teaching the children and we got to know Libby and Matt's characters.
Matt Brandon is the sheriff with a huge chip on his shoulder from past trauma and heartache. Libby (who is actually a doctor from back east) has a lot of trauma and secrets herself. Frequently, I wanted to shake them both (especially Matt) for being so stubborn and bull headed. Particularly with Matt's scar and always try to hide it from Libby, thinking how disgusted she was of it and feeling inferior and uneducated as he could barely read or write. Even though Libby didn't show any disgust when looking at him.
There are multiple episodes of a£us€ in this book. Spoiler warning, so don't read this part if you don't want to know.
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There is some back story of Libby's husband (whom she thought she had stopped permanently) treating her badly. And once she finds out he's alive, he is pretty physically rough with her. But also, there are other parts where a young boy, Dylan, is mistreated by his mother, Sadie, the town madam. However, Libby and Matt save and protect Dylan and adopt him, so there is a very happy ending to the story.
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End of spoiler.
Basically, this story is set in a small Montana town in the 1870's I believe (after the Civil War). Libby is running away from her past, and so is Matt. Both characters are, as I said, exceptionally stubborn. However, they are brave and kind and likeable (they just need to communicate with each other better). What really stole the show were the side characters, Mrs. Potts (the owner of the boarding house), Eli, the town doctor, and most especially, a young school aged boy named Dylan. Dylan was such a sweetheart!! I really wish he would have gotten a book as an adult, because he was just too wonderful!
Plus, there were some thoroughly terrible villains in the story. Luckily, they all get taken care of in the end. The plot was riveting after things get going. While it may seem like things dragged on with the medical stuff, I found it interesting. And more realistic. It takes several days for Matt to get over his pneumonia, which is good to read about rather than books where the character is fully recovered in a few days, like they were never sick.
There is some sensual scenes, but only one really smexxy scene. However, that was okay, because -- again, after Libby's past history, the author spends time with Matt helping her to get through it.
Overall, I found this book very interesting and well worth a read. Well done, Maureen McKade!
Matt Brandon is the sheriff with a huge chip on his shoulder from past trauma and heartache. Libby (who is actually a doctor from back east) has a lot of trauma and secrets herself. Frequently, I wanted to shake them both (especially Matt) for being so stubborn and bull headed. Particularly with Matt's scar and always try to hide it from Libby, thinking how disgusted she was of it and feeling inferior and uneducated as he could barely read or write. Even though Libby didn't show any disgust when looking at him.
There are multiple episodes of a£us€ in this book. Spoiler warning, so don't read this part if you don't want to know.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
There is some back story of Libby's husband (whom she thought she had stopped permanently) treating her badly. And once she finds out he's alive, he is pretty physically rough with her. But also, there are other parts where a young boy, Dylan, is mistreated by his mother, Sadie, the town madam. However, Libby and Matt save and protect Dylan and adopt him, so there is a very happy ending to the story.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
End of spoiler.
Basically, this story is set in a small Montana town in the 1870's I believe (after the Civil War). Libby is running away from her past, and so is Matt. Both characters are, as I said, exceptionally stubborn. However, they are brave and kind and likeable (they just need to communicate with each other better). What really stole the show were the side characters, Mrs. Potts (the owner of the boarding house), Eli, the town doctor, and most especially, a young school aged boy named Dylan. Dylan was such a sweetheart!! I really wish he would have gotten a book as an adult, because he was just too wonderful!
Plus, there were some thoroughly terrible villains in the story. Luckily, they all get taken care of in the end. The plot was riveting after things get going. While it may seem like things dragged on with the medical stuff, I found it interesting. And more realistic. It takes several days for Matt to get over his pneumonia, which is good to read about rather than books where the character is fully recovered in a few days, like they were never sick.
There is some sensual scenes, but only one really smexxy scene. However, that was okay, because -- again, after Libby's past history, the author spends time with Matt helping her to get through it.
Overall, I found this book very interesting and well worth a read. Well done, Maureen McKade!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2025
this was the right book at the right time. it is a great winter read while you are cozy next to the fire. I really enjoyed spending time with these characters. similar to hunting midnight and work in progress it was just a nice solid read.
November 17, 2017
A bit too slow for my taste.
June 7, 2019
This is Maureen McKade's first published novel and it shows. Although the author's fine writing comes through, the book was a bit too long and I thought the characters spent too much time ruminating over their past problems.
Dr. Libby OHanlon is running away from an abusive husband. She has a social standing and a large home, but she quakes when her husband is near. Finally, in a fit of fear and anger, she strikes Harrison Thompson. When she thinks she has killed him, Libby runs away. She settles in Deer Creek as the new teacher.
Sheriff Matt Brandon is an ex-Texas Ranger who spent three years inside a bottle after the loss of his wife and son. He hides his face from folks, thinking he repulses folks with his hideous countenance. What he doesn't understand is that most folks look at who he is in the present, not the past. They respect him for the job he does as sheriff.
The two leads have serious issues individually. Although instantly attracted to each other, Libby and Matt maintain their distance because of their pasts. They are eventually drawn together by their caring concern for a young boy in the town.
I felt there was too much negative history for each of the leads. It seemed to drag down the story too much. 3.5 stars. Her later books are so much better.
Dr. Libby OHanlon is running away from an abusive husband. She has a social standing and a large home, but she quakes when her husband is near. Finally, in a fit of fear and anger, she strikes Harrison Thompson. When she thinks she has killed him, Libby runs away. She settles in Deer Creek as the new teacher.
Sheriff Matt Brandon is an ex-Texas Ranger who spent three years inside a bottle after the loss of his wife and son. He hides his face from folks, thinking he repulses folks with his hideous countenance. What he doesn't understand is that most folks look at who he is in the present, not the past. They respect him for the job he does as sheriff.
The two leads have serious issues individually. Although instantly attracted to each other, Libby and Matt maintain their distance because of their pasts. They are eventually drawn together by their caring concern for a young boy in the town.
I felt there was too much negative history for each of the leads. It seemed to drag down the story too much. 3.5 stars. Her later books are so much better.
March 22, 2017
This book was ok. Felt like a game of duck, duck, duck, duck, duck, duck, etc. Then goose at the very distant end. This is one of those books where you're rooting for Matt the sheriff and Dylan(the whores' abused son) but Its like watching a superhero movie where the villains have all these cool powers and superheroes ate just wimpy. He's the sheriff but has no authority. The town who're beats her son and the sheriff can't atrest her and even threatens him??
And Libby, with all her scars and secrets. She thinks she kills her husband and basically lies by omission through her book. Turns out he isn't dead and shows up on the night her and matt gets engaged. I just want to quit but I'm nearly to the end.
-update. Ending is rushed. Blehh
And Libby, with all her scars and secrets. She thinks she kills her husband and basically lies by omission through her book. Turns out he isn't dead and shows up on the night her and matt gets engaged. I just want to quit but I'm nearly to the end.
-update. Ending is rushed. Blehh
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2014
Libby
good adventure great romance some language story was long for my taste story of two people who rise above their past and love again
good adventure great romance some language story was long for my taste story of two people who rise above their past and love again
May 31, 2013
I love American historicals and this author does not disappoint.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews