A Reckoning in Defiance: A Christian Historical Romance Series

by Heather Blanton

Christian Western Romance meets gritty redemption in this haunting tale of love, vengeance, and faith. Perfect for fans of inspirational romance, women’s fiction, and classic Western storytelling.

She ruled Tent Town with an iron will. Now, she returns to Defiance with nothing but guilt—and a fragile hope for forgiveness.

Once known as the queen of Defiance’s red-light district, Delilah has vanished into exile, haunted by the blood she spilled and the soul she nearly lost. Rebuilding her life through newfound faith and the quiet strength of a soft-spoken cowboy, she begins to believe redemption might be possible. But the past doesn’t forget…and Defiance certainly hasn’t.

When her mother, Eleanor secretly returns to town to test the waters, she finds tensions rising to a boil. Rival Irish and English gangs have turned Tent Town into a battleground, and whispers of Delilah’s name stir up more than just old memories…they ignite revenge. To return might mean death, but to stay away could mean letting darkness win. As flames of vengeance threaten to consume everything, Delilah will have to dig for courage she never knew she had.

In a land ruled by frontier justice, one woman must gamble everything to prove grace still has a place.

Order A Reckoning in Defiance today and discover a soul-searing Western romance where love collides with the power of mercy.

254 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 10, 2025

About the author

“Heather Blanton is blessed with a natural storytelling ability, an ‘old soul’ wisdom, and wide expansive heart. Her characters are vividly drawn, and in the western settings where life can be hard, over quickly, and seemingly without meaning, she reveals Larger Hands holding everyone and everything together.”
MARK RICHARD, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, AMC’S HELL ON WHEELS, and PEN/ERNEST HEMINGWAY AWARD WINNER

I write Christian Historical Western Romance. Yes, that often entails the use of firearms in a threatening manner. Sometimes there are fistfights. There may even be politically incorrect but historically accurate language. But also, there is always an inspirational message and strong allusions (at least) to the gospel.

A former journalist, I am an avid researcher and endeavor to skillfully weave truth in among fictional story lines. I love exploring the American West, especially ghost towns and museums. I have walked parts of the Oregon Trail, ridden horses through the Rockies, climbed to the top of Independence Rock, and even held an outlaw's note in my hand.

I grew up in the mountains of Western North Carolina on a steady diet of Bonanza, Gunsmoke, and John Wayne Westerns. My most fond childhood memory is of sitting next to my daddy, munching on popcorn, and watching Lucas McCain unload that Winchester! My daddy also taught me to shoot and, trust me, I can sew buttons on with my rifle.

I can be reached several different ways:

http://ladiesindefiance.com/
https://www.facebook.com/authorheathe...
https://twitter.com/heatherfblanton
https://www.pinterest.com/heatherfbla...

I am a proud member of Western Writers of America.

My novels are all Christian Western Romance because this is the genre that lets me write about strong, pioneer women and men who struggle to find God and then live out their faith in real ways. Like good old fashioned Westerns, there is always justice, a moral message, American values, lots of high adventure, unexpected plot twists, and more than a touch of suspense. Of course, romance is always a strong element in my stories because it is such a beautiful gift from God and a perfect reflection of how he loves us: sacrificially and lavishly. My stories aren’t preachy or cheesy, but I hope they are inspirational, heart-warming, realistic, illuminating, and glorifying to God.

Reviews

[Lana Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book! I never imagined how this amazing author could end her Defiance series well, and satisfyingly! When I started reading it, I was so impressed with the skills of the writer! I’ve enjoyed every Defiance book, but this one-oh, my goodness, it has every emotion you could ever come across inside. There’s love, fear, bravery, irrationality, revenge, worry, a sense of joy and peace in the midst of the turmoil, and eventually a relief and release as forgiveness is given to Delilah, the ex-queen of the soiled doves. She has found the Lord and HAS to seek forgiveness from her fellow man whom she has killed, hurt, maimed, etc. She can’t go on without facing a reckoning, knowing that she could and most likely would be killed if she showed her face again in Defiance. Her conscience will not leave her alone until she stands before the town where she caused so much pain and ask the survivors for forgiveness, just as she has been forgiven of her sins by her Lord. Can she do it? We are taken with her, in our minds, on this journey to forgiveness. What a fantastic book about humanity! I so thoroughly and eagerly enjoyed every page, even the intense pages. This will be one of the most exciting and entertaining books you will read this year. I did receive an early copy of the book, with no expectations of a good review. This review is my honest opinion if this mesmerizing story.

[Anne-Marie Webster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that I can always count on Heather Blanton to write a clean story of grit, romance and redemption. Her female leads demonstrate courage in the face of peril and her male leads demonstrate patience and loving protection. Victoria desires to return to Defiance to pay penance for her part in the deaths of many miners because of an explosion she orchestrated in an act of vengeance. Steady, reliable Toby wishes to shield her from the consequences she will face at the hands of an unforgiving town. And Charles, though a reformed villain himself, cannot believe that Victoria has indeed repented and reformed. As challenges turn to crisis we witness the battle waged between love and hate, forgiveness and revenge, and selfishness vs selflessness. And, of course, through it all we pray that good will ultimately triumph over evil.

[Shonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

These characters were the best! This is truly an old-western with all the brawls and dirty underhanded men who want to claim a town as their own. But every story has a hero and plenty abound in Defiance. God’s grace and mercy were beautifully done throughout the whole story. A life that most would not think could be redeemed was made new and brought about healing. Not to mention changing the hearts of men to be better for God’s purpose. I felt like I was reading a John Wayne story. Every gunfight was exciting, including the build-up of a town about to explode with hatred and a hanging! I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to see what would happen next. Entertainment from the very first page. If you want a thrill-seeking read then this is the story for you!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read and loved the entire Romance in the Rockies series, but A Reckoning in Defiance is the most compelling. The townspeople have every right to be angry and unforgiving of Delilah, but as the story we are all guilty of something, and God’s mercy covers all. Forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling, and the characters’ journeys toward the realization is powerful. I could readily relate to Delilah, and I had tears in my eyes by the end. Toby’s quiet strength is wonderful, and Delilah’s mother is tough, caring, and wise (and has her own history). The relationship between McIntyre and his wife, and their dealing with the situation is powerful. Not a light or easy read, but one you won’t want to miss.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Reckoning in Defiance is not what I expected in a really good way. Heather Blanton has a way with words and descriptions that is hard to beat. She communicates vividly, both in creating her old west world and in the scriptural truths she presents.

Her people are real. They could have lived. Perhaps some of them did, but under different names in a different city. But the story, the heartbreak, the redemption, the restoration - it still happens today.

Loved this conclusion to the Defiance series!

I received an ARC; this is my honest review.

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warning, unless you are very disciplined, block out plenty of time to read this book, plan on losing sleep if you start this book late in the afternoon or on a busy day. Also, while you can enjoy this book without reading the previous ones, they are worth reading and getting the background on Defiance. This book will draw you in with romance, humor, danger, and more danger. There is a strong message of forgiveness, both for self and for others. It is compelling so give yourself plenty of time to read. What does the author had in store for Defiance next?

[Dotty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story

We all have to deal with things in our past. Ms. Blanton has written a great story of how a person changes when Jesus changes them. We just have to let what Jesus did for us show to others in how our life changed.

Delilah had a day of reckoning with the Lord but also with part of the town she did wrong and got forgiveness. With the town there were some things she had to do.
This is a wonderful book
Well.written and I recommend it.

[Kim Ligon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fast paced tale of second chances and the power of God's love to redeem all sinners no matter their sins. It is also about the importance of forgiving yourself as Christ has forgiven you. Set in the old west where a quick gun frequently solved a problem adds to the challenges and danger in doing the right thing. I was privileged to win a copy of this book from the author but the opinions expressed here are my own. Highly recommended.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gunshots, murder and justice, or so they thought. Delilah felt the need for forgiveness for her atrocities which she perpetrated in Defiance. The climax to this town is played out with more bloodshed than she anticipated. The climax to this historical series has everything one could want in a good read. Very skillfully written by an extremely talented author, led by a very gifted person.

[Rick Molitor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can someone who has led a terrible life find the Lord? Delilah was the queen of the red-light district until she did worse. Now she has found the Lord and is in hiding with her mom and Toby. When events force her to return to defiance will there be a reckoning. This is a love story but also a story of forgiving. It is about forgiving others and forgiving ourselves. A good read.

[Carol Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delilah is back in Defiance looking for nothing but forgiveness.
She now has faith and hopes that she can be forgiven in the town she has left but that doesn't seem to be the case. I liked how she still held strong even though she was not welcomed back and treated well. She had a mission to achieve and was willing to do what she had to to make it come to pass.

[Linda Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely the kind of book that was hard to put down. Easy to read and never a dull moment. I loved this story of forgiveness and love. Great book for those who enjoy Christian historical romance. I received a copy of this book and all opinions are my own.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!! Heather has a real gift! I have not read all the books in the series, but this one is full of intense moments, self realization, forgiveness, and wonderful characters. I enjoyed how Heather weaved the story and all the pieces coming together. I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

[Cissie Breland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just Wow

This book will keep you on your toes. I love the way forgiveness and trust are entwined in the story. The characters have strong personalities, but still work together to bring out the best in everyone. Enjoy!

[Barbara Raymond · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I definitely recommend this book.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about accepting God’s forgiveness and grace. Kept me on the edge of my seat. I just love Heather’s books.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great and satisfying conclusion to the Romance in the Rockies series. I especially liked the author’s development of her character, Charles M.