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Loving Against All Odds: Gripping and emotional historical fiction inspired by true events
From fashionable New Orleans society, Miss Della Mott is now bound for frontier Spanish Texas where anything might happen. At twenty-five and never interested in marriage, she is glad finally to be considered “on the shelf.” But her plans for independence in Louisiana have failed and now her very life may be in danger.
The panic of 1819 destroyed many fortunes, including Della’s stepfather’s plantation. When he hears of Stephen Austin's agreement with Spain to allow angloamericanos to settle on free land in colonial Texas, the impulsive man packs up the family, slaves, and their remaining possessions in wagons, traveling north along the trading route to Texas. Della, the realist, knows she can't depend on her inept, volatile stepfather. Who will provide the protection and guidance they will need to survive?
Quinn, son of an American scout and a Cherokee mother, is heading home to Texas. A horse-trader, he has failed in obtaining a thoroughbred colt in New Orleans. thwarting his plan to breed thoroughbred and mustangs. Along the way he meets with Della’s family. He is struck by her dignity and strength. But he has decided not to marry. Both his parents died before they reached forty. The frontier is too dangerous to start a family. And he is of mixed blood.
But he also recognizes that Della’s stepfather will lead them into disaster and perhaps death. He can't ignore her need. And so begins their unspoken alliance into wild frontier Texas.
Unfortunately someone else's twisted agenda will endanger them all.
Another authentic Christian historical romance by Lyn Cote with nearly two million books sold~
Orignally published as The Desire of Her Heart in 2009 by HarperCollins.
The panic of 1819 destroyed many fortunes, including Della’s stepfather’s plantation. When he hears of Stephen Austin's agreement with Spain to allow angloamericanos to settle on free land in colonial Texas, the impulsive man packs up the family, slaves, and their remaining possessions in wagons, traveling north along the trading route to Texas. Della, the realist, knows she can't depend on her inept, volatile stepfather. Who will provide the protection and guidance they will need to survive?
Quinn, son of an American scout and a Cherokee mother, is heading home to Texas. A horse-trader, he has failed in obtaining a thoroughbred colt in New Orleans. thwarting his plan to breed thoroughbred and mustangs. Along the way he meets with Della’s family. He is struck by her dignity and strength. But he has decided not to marry. Both his parents died before they reached forty. The frontier is too dangerous to start a family. And he is of mixed blood.
But he also recognizes that Della’s stepfather will lead them into disaster and perhaps death. He can't ignore her need. And so begins their unspoken alliance into wild frontier Texas.
Unfortunately someone else's twisted agenda will endanger them all.
Another authentic Christian historical romance by Lyn Cote with nearly two million books sold~
Orignally published as The Desire of Her Heart in 2009 by HarperCollins.
319 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 18, 2024
About the author
Lyn Cote
131 books595 followersLyn grew up loving books. Her favorite night of the week was Friday night, when the Bookmobile came to her neighborhood in Illinois. She’d spend those two hours chatting with the driver of the Bookmobile and the librarian and making the big decision of the week — which books to check out! In those distant days, children were limited in how many books they could check out. Lyn could only take home six a week — and there were so many to choose from. Her favorites were Cotton in my Sack by Lois Lenski, The Little House series and the One of a Kind Family series. Later, she discovered Georgette Heyer’s Regency romances!
This love of books led to a desire to write. Lyn won prizes in high school and college for her poetry and, not surprisingly, Lyn became a history and English teacher. When she became a mother, she gave up teaching, and while raising a son and a daughter, she began working on her first novel. Then she wrote her second and third. Long years of rejection followed — as it does for most writers. Finally in 1997, Lyn got "the call." Her first book, Never Alone, was chosen to appear in the first year of the new Love Inspired line. Lyn has written many articles on writing and the emerging Christian Booksellers Assoc. (CBA) fiction market. In 2006, Lyn's book, Chloe, is a finalist for the RWA's RITA, the highest award in the romance genre in the inspirational category.
Now, Lyn spends her days writing books that show the power of divine as well as human love. Her nest is empty and she and her real life hero, her husband, have more and more time to spend together in their home on a lake in the lovely northwoods. And books are still dear to her heart.
This love of books led to a desire to write. Lyn won prizes in high school and college for her poetry and, not surprisingly, Lyn became a history and English teacher. When she became a mother, she gave up teaching, and while raising a son and a daughter, she began working on her first novel. Then she wrote her second and third. Long years of rejection followed — as it does for most writers. Finally in 1997, Lyn got "the call." Her first book, Never Alone, was chosen to appear in the first year of the new Love Inspired line. Lyn has written many articles on writing and the emerging Christian Booksellers Assoc. (CBA) fiction market. In 2006, Lyn's book, Chloe, is a finalist for the RWA's RITA, the highest award in the romance genre in the inspirational category.
Now, Lyn spends her days writing books that show the power of divine as well as human love. Her nest is empty and she and her real life hero, her husband, have more and more time to spend together in their home on a lake in the lovely northwoods. And books are still dear to her heart.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 20, 2024
I am not so familiar with this part of history, so not only was it a great story with intriguing characters, but I also learned a lot. That's always a nice bonus in reading. I'm glad the author didn't sugarcoat the way things were and used terms that people used back then.
I always like to believe that in history, there are people like Della. People who knew people needed to be seen for who they are and not their background and/or color.
Great story and loved all the adventure.
I received a complimentary copy from the author, but I was not required to write a review.
I always like to believe that in history, there are people like Della. People who knew people needed to be seen for who they are and not their background and/or color.
Great story and loved all the adventure.
I received a complimentary copy from the author, but I was not required to write a review.
May 25, 2024
Being willing to change could bring you your heart’s desire.
The historical content of the novel was intriguing; I found myself looking up some events/characters from history to get a better understanding. The struggles the characters faced were vividly detailed; I could feel the dread of moving into the unknown right along with the family. Mr. Kilbride was a scourge the entire novel and I was glad for him to be taught a lesson in Texas.
Della and Reva’s fight for freedom was rewarding to read, even though it didn’t come the way they thought. Quinn’s struggle to see his own value as the person he really was, instead of how a few prejudiced men viewed him, had me rooting for him to open his eyes. Our true value comes from God. Della and Quinn, Ash and Reva did get a HEA.
I received a complimentary copy and these are my voluntary and honest opinions. I was not required to leave a positive review.
The historical content of the novel was intriguing; I found myself looking up some events/characters from history to get a better understanding. The struggles the characters faced were vividly detailed; I could feel the dread of moving into the unknown right along with the family. Mr. Kilbride was a scourge the entire novel and I was glad for him to be taught a lesson in Texas.
Della and Reva’s fight for freedom was rewarding to read, even though it didn’t come the way they thought. Quinn’s struggle to see his own value as the person he really was, instead of how a few prejudiced men viewed him, had me rooting for him to open his eyes. Our true value comes from God. Della and Quinn, Ash and Reva did get a HEA.
I received a complimentary copy and these are my voluntary and honest opinions. I was not required to leave a positive review.
July 30, 2024
Loving Against All Odds by Lyn Cote
Lone Star Courage Series Book One
Della Motts lived on a plantation in Louisiana with her mother, stepfather, and half-sister. She kept the books and knew trouble was coming. Her stepfather was a gambler and not the winning kind. When all was lost, they headed to Texas, along with some of their slaves, although Della treated them all as the humans God created. She had no idea how much more her life would change as they traveled into the unknown.
Quinn had seen the tall white woman in New Orleans and was keeping an eye on her as they traveled West. Her stepfather had cheated him out of a horse and was a foolish man. Being a half-breed, he knew there would never be anything between them, but he could protect the kind and caring woman until they arrived at their final destination in the Austin camp in Texas territory.
I loved this story, although some of it’s sad. So much hate towards people because of their mixed race, like Quinn and his friend Ash. I enjoyed the characters and the scenery.
https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com...
Lone Star Courage Series Book One
Della Motts lived on a plantation in Louisiana with her mother, stepfather, and half-sister. She kept the books and knew trouble was coming. Her stepfather was a gambler and not the winning kind. When all was lost, they headed to Texas, along with some of their slaves, although Della treated them all as the humans God created. She had no idea how much more her life would change as they traveled into the unknown.
Quinn had seen the tall white woman in New Orleans and was keeping an eye on her as they traveled West. Her stepfather had cheated him out of a horse and was a foolish man. Being a half-breed, he knew there would never be anything between them, but he could protect the kind and caring woman until they arrived at their final destination in the Austin camp in Texas territory.
I loved this story, although some of it’s sad. So much hate towards people because of their mixed race, like Quinn and his friend Ash. I enjoyed the characters and the scenery.
https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com...
June 27, 2024
A slice of history
In my youth I absorbed every western based TV programs. This book was like returning to that treasured time. Lyn Cote has managed to get the history of Western expansion right and has not shied away from the realities of social structure and slavery. Add to that a tender love story between a wealthy spinster and a mixed race man whose dreams are hampered by his absorption of the behavior of prejudiced people around him that make him believe that he is "less than" a man of substance. I couldn't put this book down.
In my youth I absorbed every western based TV programs. This book was like returning to that treasured time. Lyn Cote has managed to get the history of Western expansion right and has not shied away from the realities of social structure and slavery. Add to that a tender love story between a wealthy spinster and a mixed race man whose dreams are hampered by his absorption of the behavior of prejudiced people around him that make him believe that he is "less than" a man of substance. I couldn't put this book down.
November 24, 2024
Beautiful Christian Fiction
I always love it when characters in “Christian fiction” actually pray and reference scripture. This book portrayed a beautiful relationship between God and a young woman. Big fan.
Sometimes the behaviors, mostly from the men, seemed a little unrealistic and the ending was anticlimactic at best. But the story was sweet and inspiring. I did love a lot of the characters and the stakes definitively got my heart rate up. Love me a clean western romance. Thanks!!
I always love it when characters in “Christian fiction” actually pray and reference scripture. This book portrayed a beautiful relationship between God and a young woman. Big fan.
Sometimes the behaviors, mostly from the men, seemed a little unrealistic and the ending was anticlimactic at best. But the story was sweet and inspiring. I did love a lot of the characters and the stakes definitively got my heart rate up. Love me a clean western romance. Thanks!!
December 30, 2025
A Texas cowboy of mixed race falls for a Louisiana Southern belle.
Enjoyed being with this author again. It was nice getting to read Della and Quinn story along with Ash and Reva story. Both couples had a lot of prejudice to get through. Della stepfather treated her not well. She had two men fall for her. But Quinn had her heart he treated her as an equal. Even though he thought he wasn't right for her. But he finally fell in love with her. Looking forward to book three in this series.
Enjoyed being with this author again. It was nice getting to read Della and Quinn story along with Ash and Reva story. Both couples had a lot of prejudice to get through. Della stepfather treated her not well. She had two men fall for her. But Quinn had her heart he treated her as an equal. Even though he thought he wasn't right for her. But he finally fell in love with her. Looking forward to book three in this series.
June 18, 2024
Loving Against All Odds will trigger a many emotions in the reader. This story has so many facets. The time period and Ms. Cote’s research are fascinating. This well written romance has family toubles, brave men and roues, mystery, suspense, kidnapping and more. Once I began reading, I found myself immersed in the story and the struggles of the characters. I also learned several facts about this period that I did not previously know!
June 20, 2024
I thought I would love living in the old West but have changed my mind over time because I don't think I would have survived. Life was very hard, and uncertain. Many men didn't think highly of women and their abilities to do much more than keep house and raise children. Della was the exception and attracted Quinn's attention. I enjoyed this adventure with its many uncertainties. I received an advance copy. This is my voluntary opinion.
June 20, 2024
If you like the Old West frontier and an adventure filled with all sorts of danger, you will enjoy Loving Against All Odds. The author has a wonderful way of describing the characters' personalities --- the decent, moral, charming and loving people as well as a few not so charming and lovely people. The book's title says it all. Sit down for a pleasant read.
February 10, 2025
Great read
So enjoy historical fiction and the things I learn from these wonderful books. What an adventure of this family moving from New Orleans to Texas to begin a new life. The story line keeps you wondering what will happen next.
So enjoy historical fiction and the things I learn from these wonderful books. What an adventure of this family moving from New Orleans to Texas to begin a new life. The story line keeps you wondering what will happen next.
April 11, 2026
Would not recommend
This book has a decent concept. However, there were so many grammatical errors and things that just didn’t make sense. I give it a once star because it feels like there was no editing involved. Another possibility would be that AI was used.
This book has a decent concept. However, there were so many grammatical errors and things that just didn’t make sense. I give it a once star because it feels like there was no editing involved. Another possibility would be that AI was used.
January 30, 2025
Fantastic book! Can't wait for the rest of the series. Loved the history of the times that was included.
January 11, 2025
I loved reading about this time period and learned so much such as - "Stephen Austin's agreement with Spain to allow Anglo Americanos to settle on free land in colonial Texas." Della and Quinn have both had a hard life but in much different ways. Their attraction to each other was much more than just physical. There were times this story broke my heart and I had to quit reading it but not for very long. Romance, family troubles, mysteries, intrigue, suspense and so much more. The author captured my attention from the very start and kept it until the end. I would love to read a sequel about their later years as well a story about the man who didn't get the girl.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews