The Heart's Frontier

The Amish of Apple Grove #1

by Lori Copeland, Virginia Smith

An exciting new Amish-meets-Wild West adventure from bestselling authors Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith weaves an entertaining and romantic tale for devoted fans and new readers.

Kansas,1881--On a trip to visit relatives, Emma Switzer's Amish family is robbed of all their possessions, leaving them destitute and stranded on the prairie. Walking into the nearest trading settlement, they pray to the Lord for someone to help. When a man lands in the dust at her feet, Emma looks down at him and thinks, The Lord might have cleaned him up first.

Luke Carson, heading up his first cattle drive, is not planning on being the answer to anyone's prayers, but it looks as though God has something else in mind for this kind and gentle man. Plain and rugged--do the two mix? And what happens when a dedicated Amish woman and a stubborn trail boss prove to be each other's match?

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

296 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2012

About the author

Lori Copeland was born on 12 June 1941. She had a relatively late start in writing, breaking into publishing in 1982 when she was already forty years old. Over the next dozen years, her romance novels achieved much success, as was evidenced by her winning the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award, The Holt Medallion, and Walden Books' Best Seller award. She has been inducted into the Missouri Writers Hall of Fame.

Despite her success in more mainstream romantic fiction, in 1995, she decided to switch focus. Her subsequent books have been in the relatively new subgenre of Christian romance. She has also collaborated with authors Angela Elwell Hunt or Virginia Smith on a series of Christian romance novels.

Lori and her husband of over forty years, Lance, live in Springfield, Missouri, surrounded by the beautiful Ozarks. They have three grown sons, three daughter-in-laws, and six wonderful grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters. She and her husband are very involved in their church, and active in supporting mission work in Mali, West Africa.

Reviews

[Lisa Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Heart's Frontier
by Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith

A very interesting Western with plenty of humor, full of adventures of a cattle drive with rustlers and Amish.

An unusual plot, but the authors make it work.

I would be interested in reading of further adventures with these characters.

I like the cover art. You can tell you are in for quite a story!

[Camille · Rating 4 out of 5]

From my blog: http://books-camilleelise4.blogspot.com

The Heart's Frontier by Lori Copeland & Virginia Smith


That's right, in just a few short weeks you can get your hands on this Amish fiction meets Western novel!

I was graciously given the opportunity to read this book and write a review through NetGalley and Harvest House Publishers. I am under no obligation to write a positive review, just an honest one.

How do you feel about Amish fiction? Christian fiction? And what about a Wild Western with cowboys and rustlers? And set in the late 1800s?

Well then, I have the perfect book for you!

The Heart's Frontier is a unique blend of historical, Amish and Western fiction all wrapped up in a delightful tale of adventure, romance, comedy and intrigue.

It's safe to say, this is not your mother's Amish fiction!

Emma Switzer and her family are leaving their home in Apple Grove to move to Troyer. After packing up their wagon to make the move, including Maummi's (her grandmother's) gargantuan and incredibly heavy hutch, she hits the trail with her father, Jonas, her sister, Rebecca, and her grandmother, to make the journey.

But along the way their wagon is hijacked by cattle rustling thieves and they are left stranded to walk to the nearest town. Upon arrival in an Englisch Wild West town, Emma let's up a prayer to God for help:

"The saloon door swung outward and a body sailed through . . . A man landed at their feet with a gigantic poof of dirt. . .
A grin broke across Papa's face. 'See? The Lord has sent us help.'
Emma searched the dazed face at her feet. Disappointment stole any consolation Papa's words might have offered.
The Lord might have cleaned him up first."

Enter Luke Carson. A handsome young cowboy who has just gotten his first big job as the lead in a cattle drive. As a god-fearing and kind-hearted man, Luke takes it upon himself to help the stranded and now penniless Amish. He hadn't planned upon such a side diversion, but figured a few hours of time could be spared for the kindly, albeit quite lost and startled Amish family.

As the story develops, their paths cross again when Luke stumbles across an opportunity to help them again, and goes out of his way to do so.

But eventually, troubles strike his cattle drive and Luke finds himself needing answers to his own prayers:

"A sudden lightness lifted his spirits and a slow grin spread across his face. It looked as though the Lord had sent him help this time. His gaze focused on Emma.
And He chose a mighty pretty delivery method."

As the two cross paths multiple times they get to know one another and a mutual respect grows between the two.

But Emma is Plain, and of the Amish, and Luke has a wild side, fit to live life as a cowboy. Not to mention, Emma's father and grandmother are doing everything they can to keep the two apart.

Will Emma and Luke find more than each other's help? Or is Christian help the most than one another can offer each other when they come from lives that are so different?

Read The Heart's Frontier to find out!

I have to say, I really did enjoy this book! Westerns aren't usually my more favorite genre, and I don't often go out of my way to read them. But I just couldn't resist trying an Amish-meets-Western book.

While I didn't connect as deeply with the characters in this book as I have with others, I found that the light-hearted joy that just emanated from the pages kept my attention easily. Plus, the occasional completely humorous passages kept me engaged and chuckling to myself out loud. The humor in this book is so much more interwoven than many other Amish fictions books that it was hard not to smile and laugh while enjoying this delightful read.

What is interesting is that most Amish fiction feels somewhat like a step back in time, with buggies and no electricity, so it's not unusual to feel like the book is period fiction. But when the Amish in this book were moving by wagon and oxen it just jarred me a bit because I guess I expected the assistance of a train or of a hired drive. Yet it really helped me to see that this book is period fiction, and that while contemporary Amish fiction feels removed in time, that even modern-day conveniences have intermixed with their lives, even if just a little.

My only criticism would be that Emma is almost a little too helpless at moments to fully mix with the rest of her character. For the most part she is a determined, and strong-willed young woman, especially for an Amish woman, but here and there she seems so helpless that it feels like it is out of her character, and I found that a bit jarring and a tiny bit inconsistent. But that is just a minor criticism, as I overall loved this book.

This delightful novel is a quick and enchanting read that will keep any Amish fiction lover, Western fiction lover, historical fiction love and/or Christian fiction lover entertained.

Pick it up next month if you want something that is completely unique in the ever-growing world of Amish fiction!

I just want to make a quick note that the quotes I used are direct quotes from this book and are copyrighted material of Harvest House Publishers, not to be used in any way without their express consent.

4 out of 5 stars!

[Elizabeth Meadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!! This was a really good mashup of two very different cultures set in the old west. Can't wait to read more in the series.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

We've all heard of Cowboys and Indians, cowboys and aliens and now it's time for cowboys and the Amish! With this latest book from the fantastic duo of Copeland and Smith two very different world's collide -- that of a peace-loving Amish family and the ruff and tumble life of a cowpoke. I have to admit I wasn't sure how this story was going to turn out but knowing these two authors I knew it was going to be fun and interesting to say the least! I wasn't disappointed and I bet you won't be either. If you 're looking for a thick, juicy read this isn't it but it you're looking for a sweet story minus the stop-and-make-you-think stuff this is your book! The entire story takes place over a week of riding the range with a herd of cattle so other than your standard cattle rustler bad guys there isn't a whole lot of drama. Luke and Emma's relationship never goes beyond a few heated glances for most of the book but the chemistry definitely lurked behind the scenes so to speak. I loved Emma's grandmother, she definitely provided for some fun moments especially when she overstepped her bounds with the camp cook, McCann by invading his "kitchen." All in all this was a cute story that I would recommend to readers of any age who like a sweet book.
***Special thanks to Karri | Marketing Assistant | Harvest House Publishers for sending me a review copy.***

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not much of an Amish fiction fan, though I have enjoyed a few over the years. But I love love love historical fiction. So when the opportunity to read a combination of both came, I thought, why not give it a try? Well, I ended up loving it. The story was so heartfelt, and rather than making it sound like religion was the answer (the Plain life) it focused on Love being the answer. All in all, it was a warm, heart-felt novel. I had a warm glow in my chest at the end. We give up a lot of things for love, but the truth is without love, many of the things we used to care about mean nothing anyway. I loved that message in this story. It was loaded with adorable humor and distinct characters. The grandmother was a hoot, and honestly, there wasn't a character I didn't like...well, other than the bad guys. I'd highly recommend this book for people who want a feel-good read, but one that has a bit of spiritual depth to it as well.

[CarolynB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good. Not the usual Amish read, but very good.

[Rachel Brand · Rating 4 out of 5]

GENRE: AMISH/HISTORICAL/ROMANCE
PUBLISHER: HARVEST HOUSE
PUBLICATION DATE: MARCH 01, 2012
RATING: 4 OUT OF 5 – VERY GOOD

PROS: Unusual blend of Amish culture in a wild-west historical setting; unconventional ending; amusing secondary characters

CONS: Romance is fairly predictable; heroine constantly gets into trouble and needs rescuing

Emma Switzer never wanted to leave Apple Grove to live with her aunt, but she wouldn’t have wished having their wagon stolen by thieves partway into their journey in order to prevent her from leaving. Stranded in the prairie with her father, grandmother and younger sister, Emma struggles to have the faith to believe that they will find a way out of this situation. When her family stumbles across a trading settlement and finds a rugged cowboy thrown at their feet, her father is convinced that God has sent this man to help them. Emma can’t help but think, “The Lord might have cleaned him up first.” But first impressions can be deceiving, and as Emma and her family travel along side Luke Carson’s cattle drive to the nearest town she finds herself increasingly drawn to the young cowboy. Her father disapproves of their growing relationship and is keen to get her back to their Amish settlement, where there are no such temptations. Could an Amish woman and a trail boss ever set aside their differences for the sake of love? Or are there too many aspects of their disparate lifestyles keeping them apart?

Sometimes, you just need a book that puts a smile on your face and makes you feel relaxed and content. The Heart’s Frontier was such a book. The novel also had the added bonus of being a mixture of Amish and historical fiction, two of my favourite genres, and a blend that is slowly becoming more popular. Anna Schmidt has written about an Amish boy who runs away with the circus in the 1920s, while Murray Pura has tackled the treatment of the Amish as conscientious objectors during WWI. Joining this sub-genre of Amish fiction, The Heart’s Frontier features an Amish family who are robbed of all their belongings while travelling across Kansas to stay with relatives, and end up relying on the help of a cowboy leading a cattle drive across the country. I wasn’t so much sceptical of a wild-west Amish novel, but rather intrigued. I do enjoy western historicals, but the difficulty with writing about the Amish in the late nineteenth century is that they don’t have the barriers of electricity and technology to set them apart from those around them. It was interesting to see how the authors tackled the less overt differences that made them stand out; namely, the modesty of the women’s clothing, their temperance and non-violence, and obviously, their commitment to God in all things.

Unlike some romance novels, I didn’t feel that The Heart’s Frontier had a plot with a distinct start, middle and end. As Emma’s family travelled across Kansas with the cattle drive the characters and their relationships with each other also went on a journey, and the novel depicted how their attitudes towards each other changed over the course of the novel. While there were a few distinct incidents throughout the novel that moved the plot in one way or another, it felt more character-driven than plot-driven. The secondary characters provided a lot of amusement, particularly with the clash of Amish culture against the attitudes of the men on the cattle drive. There were plenty of moments that almost made me laugh out loud, from Emma’s grandmother’s constant stream of proverbs to Emma learning to lasso a cow. All in all, it was a gentle, relaxing read, and although Emma and Luke didn’t have a lot of personal hurdles to overcome, I enjoyed witnessing how their friendship developed. Because of the conditions under which their romance blossomed – chaperoned by Emma’s father, grandmother and the entire cattle drive, as well as Emma being Amish and used to strict courtship traditions – the focus was more on the two of them getting to know each other and included far more wistful glances and gentle touches than passion and chemistry.

I did feel that their romance bordered on being of the “love at first sight” sort, which is not a favourite of mine. However, considering the circumstances in which the story is set and the genre nature of the romance, it did suit the novel. There are many variations of Christian romance novels, and there are some that are definitely aimed at more mature, married women. This is not one of those, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend The Heart’s Frontier to a young teenage girl. It’s a very sweet romance and ridiculously squeaky clean; the hero and heroine don’t even kiss until the last chapter. And while I do prefer the edgier romances that dare to show the passion a couple can feel for each other, there are times when a sweet romance is entirely satisfying. Yes, The Heart’s Frontier was rather predictable, but the mesh of historical and Amish elements definitely made the well-used “forbidden love” storyline into something original. I didn’t mind the predictability of the romance so much as I did the fact that Emma was continually getting into trouble – being kidnapped or dragged away by a rampaging cow or trampled by a herd of cows – and needing to be rescued by Luke. Each time something happened to her, Luke would rescue her and they’d realise how much they cared about each other. I wouldn’t mind this so much, but it was used at least three times throughout the novel and I kind of wished the authors had used different ways of bringing Emma and Luke together. But the unexpected ending more than made up for the predictable elements in the story. Amish romances involving outsiders have a tendency to end the same way, so I was pleasantly surprised at the way Lori and Virginia chose to conclude The Heart’s Frontier.

The Heart’s Frontier takes a well-used romance of forbidden love and turns it into something new by having its Amish heroine fall for a rugged cowboy. The predictability of the plot is made up for in the unique period and setting of the story, as well as the amusing antics of various secondary characters. While I wouldn’t place the first book in the Amish of Apple Grove series among my favourite Amish or historical novels, it was a very enjoyable reading experience and I would definitely consider reading the next book in the series. I imagine that those who are fans of Amish fiction and western historicals would enjoy this mesh of the two genres.

Review title provided by Harvest House Publishers.

[SKP · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up- I guess I’ve included some spoilers here, so will mark it as such. While the premise of the book, Amish in the Old West, was interesting, and while I do intend to finish the series eventually, I found the book to be very slow-moving and predictable, & I thought Emma was kind of annoying, especially when she decided that Luke should become Amish. Kind of selfish to think that when he is obviously a very good cowboy and trail boss. Also, she kept doing stupid things to get his attention, and it sort of seems like he fell for a rather helpless little girl, rather than a mature woman. In other words, I thought there was a lot of stereotyping going on. I actually liked the Amish father and grandmother best of all the characters, although they were kind of stereotyped too. I am kind of questioning the ending, whether at that time in history an Amish woman would be permitted to just give up her plain ways (in a span of about 5 minutes) to marry an Englisher or not. I guess I need to do some of my own research, although I’d like to think this was well-researched. It just doesn’t seem likely to me knowing what I know about even today’s Old Order Amish. I’m sure they were all even more strict back then. The Audible narration was pretty good, although Emma was maybe a little icky sweet for my liking.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a random library grab. The cover made me think it could be a light, fun read. There were a few parts like that. I enjoyed the grandmother's quotes and her head-butting with the trail cook. Jesse being uncomfortable with Rebecca staring at him all the time was surprisingly entertaining. But those were side characters. The main plot oscillated between boring and annoying. Emma, the Amish heroine, begins thinking within three days of meeting Luke (during which time they've had only a few brief conversations) that all she has to do is convince him to become Amish (i.e. change his entire life) for the two of them to live happily ever after. And she explicitly thinks at least three time that if he really loves me, he'll do it. Cringe. That's not healthy. As much as I love a good love story, and was hoping this would be one, I would have enjoyed the book more if it simply had the two cultures figuring out how to help each other. The mutual respect that grew between Luke and Emma's father was more satisfying.

[BrendaLee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story! I listened to the audiobook and I so enjoyed the narrator too. Imagine an Amish woman and cowboy falling in love. This was the best of both worlds and I wondered how the author was going to keep these two together long enough to fall in love. But you know the authors did just that. And....kept it interesting and things happening all the time. Luke and Emma’s story was actually a fun read. Adding little sister, Mammi, Dad and the other cowboys to the mix was even better. I can’t wait to listen to the next two books in this series.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Heart's Frontier The Amish of Apple Grove, No. 1
: Lori Copeland, Virginia Smith

This is a clean historical, western romance that merges Amish and English characters. ÏIt was a bit different than most Amish romance I have read. A nice relaxing listen.

The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed. Cecily White does a fantastic job with accents. I enjoyed this very much.



I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was certainly a unique historical Christian romance novel. Set in 1880's Texas, the book features an Amish family and a group of cowboys on a cattle drive who end up traveling and working together for days due to various encounters with a group of bandits/rustlers. While I liked the story and its unexpected conclusion, the whole scenario felt unlikely, and the characters were a little flat. I am unlikely to read more of the series.

[Denise Glisson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amish and Cowboys

Very interesting book! I have always enjoyed reading, Lori Copeland's books so no surprise that I would like this one. Many of you have heard how God works in mysterious ways. I liked the way this story came together and how different ways of growing up can still work together. Throw in some mean Rustlers and enjoy the ride!

[Gay Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This title is co-authored by Virginia Smith and Lori Copeland, combining both of their skills to an intriging plot and a both cowboys and Amish cultures. Reader's will learn much about Western Expansion, cattle drives and the people of this period of time. I especially enjoyed the characters, a touch of suspense along the way.

[Maggie Shanley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute, funny Amish romance book, it was a strong 3.5 but was a little too predictable and strange at the end to make it a 4.0. This is a collision of two worlds, that of the working cowboy and an Amish family travelling across the prairie.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cowboys/Englishers and Amish mix in this story set in the Wild West. While on a cattle drive the two groups cross paths. Both learn important things from each other. The development of the characters makes you want to read book two.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma is Amish and on a trip with her family when they are robbed. They find the leader of a trail ride who helps them. Lots of near misses with some humor thrown in. Emma has to decide if she will stay Amish or take a chance on the non Amish trail leader.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book - I didn't think that Amish and cowboys could work together in a book, but it did in this one ;) It was interesting to learn more about cattle drive and about the Amish back in the 1800s.

[Beth Kaminske · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not one of Lori Copeland's better stories. I expected better from a Copland/Smith collaboration. Maybe Christian writers should stop writing so many Amish stories.

[bert-bobbi · Rating 3 out of 5]

easy read, enjoyable... even if you don't read rest of series

[Deb Storlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

Great moving story that is captivating and exciting. Great characters that come to life on the page. Enjoyed it very much.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was cute. A lot of will they/won't they with pursuing a relationship. Poor Emma was a sucker for bad luck and injuries throughout!

[LaGail Lenoir · Rating 5 out of 5]

got the audiobook version. good story line.

[Theresa Bingman · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like Amish fiction this is a good one!

[Pat Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this new series. I love Amish stories and the wild west. This is book one in the series and I'm about to read book two.

[Tonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun Read

I enjoyed this book and story line. The characters were fun. I enjoy reading about the Amish and this book had an interesting twist to it.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not really a fan of amish stories

[M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just okay.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two of my favorite type of books to read, cowboy and amish, come together in one story. Was wondering how it all would work out, but I enjoyed it.

[Becky Weida · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riveting story of forbidden love on the trail to herd cattle. An Amish family and cowboys working together to overcome trials. Love and excitement in this story.