The Telegraph and the Heart

Hearts of Copper Springs #1

by Marian Ashford

She came west to outrun a life that never fit her.

She didn’t expect to find a town — or a man — who would change her heart forever.

Catherine Hartley has lost everything that once defined her. Her future is uncertain and Boston society has no place for a woman determined to stand on her own. Armed with nothing but her late uncle’s debts and her rare skill as a telegraph operator, Catherine heads west to the rugged frontier town of Copper Springs, hoping for a fresh start.

Widowed rancher James Dawson has learned the hard way that the frontier is no place for delicate dreams — or refined Eastern women. His only priority is protecting his young daughter and preserving the fragile life he’s built from loss. Falling in love again is a risk he refuses to take, no matter how strongly he’s drawn to the determined woman who arrives with wires, wit, and a quiet strength he can’t ignore.

When a violent thunderstorm threatens the town’s telegraph line, Catherine risks everything to keep Copper Springs connected — and proves she’s far stronger than James ever believed. But one devastating mistake could cost James his ranch, his livelihood, and the fragile hope he’s begun to feel again.

As loyalties are tested, Catherine must decide whether she’s brave enough to claim a future she never imagined — and James must choose between guarding his heart and trusting it once more.

Because some messages are worth risking your heart for.

The Telegraph and the Heart is the first book in the Hearts of Copper Springs series — a tender, emotionally rich frontier romance filled with resilience, found family, and love that grows stronger against the odds.

Genres: Historical Fiction

270 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 11, 2025

Reviews

[SheLove2Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wyoming historical romance. Fairly predictable but I liked that the h had an unusual occupation as a telegraph operator. Almost no heat beyond a couple of tame kissing references. It was an uncomplicated read but I can't say that I loved it. 3 stars

[Marguerite Priest · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining story of life and love

A simple story of finding oneself and love set against the backdrop of life on the Wyoming frontier. It was a pleasant afternoon read.

[onairlady2001 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and sweet

The story is engaging and sweet. I looked forward to stealing a few moments from each crazy day to relax and read a bit. This was well written and I enjoyed it very much.

[Cathy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Story with potential but poor world building and pacing.

Could have been a lovely read but fell short in many places. Everything from community, to challenges, to relationships, it was all weakly handled.

This is largely a love story so let me unpack that first. The leads meet, barely exchange more than 10 minutes of conversation but they both suddenly fall irreperably hard for each other. To heart shattering extents that cause them to question their whole lives and almost fall into despair. This despair remained for most of the first half of the book. It was very odd.

The story telling as well isn't very gripping. It is simple and easy to follow in terms of writing but does not draw you in and cause you to feel deeply invested in the lives of the characters. It doesn't have much of that old western small town charm feeling to it. Not to mention secondary characters are barely a part of the story. And that probably explains why the story feels flat and devoid of cultural charm. Everything seems to revolve around the two main characters and their angst filled attraction to each other. Which could have been a possible saving grace for the story had it been written with more detail, interest and a sense of realism.

Also some things in the story don't seem to be clear. For example. Someone passes away due to birth complications 5 years ago but the child born is 8 years old?? Or the did the complications persist for 3 years?? It is unclear.

Could have been a lovely read. The synopsis drew me in and so I signed up to review it for free (thoughts and opinions are my own). But the execution left a lot wanting.

[Patti Whitaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome story of determination, courage, love, and second chances. Catherine, a refined socialite, heads from Boston to Copper Springs when she finds out her beloved Uncle has passed away and left the Telegraph office that he started empty. Her Uncle had taught her how to run the telegraph when she was very young and she has kept up the skill. Copper Springs is nothing like Boston but Kate finds she likes the town and the people. She also finds a mountain of debt left by her Uncle. James is a widowed rancher with an adorable little girl. His past experience with refined city girls guides his decision to keep his daughter as far away from Kate as possible so that she can avoid heartache when Kate decides to go back to Boston. Both Kate and James must overcome past hurts and insecurities to find their way forward and have a hope of a future together. This is the first story in the series and I can't wait to read the next installment. The author does a fabulous job of bringing the characters to life and draws the reader in from the first few pages of the story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always like reading historical romances, it's just something that binds me to the past, to people who might have been family.

I know that my Grandparents didn't love each other the way that my husband and I love each other, but they had 9 children, worked hard in a mercilessly environment doing back breaking work so that they could feed and cloth their children and hoped to leave a legacy for them.

My husband and I set off on the 1st of January 2026 to find their graves so that I could at least thank them for everything they did, unfortunately the farm names had changed and the one cemetery we found didn't have their graves. But I felt that I had still connected with them.

I was a late lamb and as a result I never met any of my grandparents, my late grandfather was the last to pass away only 2 years before my birth. Thoug I never met them in life, I had stories that family shared with me, a bride that bound me to them. Today I don't have any biological family left, but I do have their stories in my heart.

[J.E. Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book in a new series that is filled with exciting, unexpected surprises and twists. Also, a budding romance with tender and also intense moments. I enjoyed the main characters, especially the determination of Kate, the telegraph operator working what's considered a man's job. She is determined to make a go of it, until she meets James, which leaves her confused-a widower with a young daughter.

Trying to adjust from city life, Kate tries to adjust to the small town of Copper Springs. Within the pages are instances of jealousy, greed, death, and some relationships that are strained. I enjoyed the book and can't wait to read the next one.

[Saydi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I thought that it was well written and that the character development was very good. You could really connect with the characters, especially the main character, Kate. I liked how strong she was and to her see her confidence and sense of belonging grow throughout the story. Her love interest, Jim, was also an interesting character with his own problems and traumas. With the help of its supporting characters, the detailed descriptions of the places and the sweet romance, this book felt very full and charming.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Stefanie Verhelst · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a delight to read.

Situated in a historical Wyoming, Copper Springs.

Catherine is a brave woman and when she risks her own safety to save the town’s telegraph.

James starts seeing Catherine through a different pair of eyes and affections are growing.

This romance is a slow burning, sweet and dreamy story.

The characters are easy to connect with and I found myself enjoying and relaxing during this read!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brigitte · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was great to read a simple sweet romance again. This story is most definitely that. Romances happening around 1850 - 1900 are often times so masculine dominant, this story has a strong minded young woman who tackles her new life admirably.
This story is sweet with a touch of heartbreak and a lot of good feelings. Overall it is really deserving of the fabulous four stars I am giving it here.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chapter 7 " And the understanding that home is not always what or where we expect. Sometimes it is somerhing we must build ourselves, piece by piece.
Chapter 21 "I tend to believe we know the things web need to know... when we need to know them.
Chapter 27 Interesting statement: "Outside, Cooper Springs slept on. indifferent to one woman's heartbreak." Actually 2 women.

[Tracy Sylvester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catherine (Kate) Hartley decides to head west to Copper Springs and run her late uncles telegraph office. James Dawson is a local rancher/widower and father to Lily. I enjoyed Catherine as a heroine in a different role than most women back in those days. She is headstrong, hardworking, and sweet to everyone. James is hardworking and a good father to Lily. This is a sweet, clean historical read.

[Melissakledford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!

This us a wonderful clean book l could not stop.reading it .Can't say enough about this author and the way she made this story flow my kind of read enjoyed it from start to finish . Definitely will be reading more of her work .

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable sweet American West romance, kissing only. The characters come to life while you read, and I couldn't put it down.

I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[aem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story

[Angela Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

The thing I liked most about this story was the telegraph and how it affected the settling of the West. I loved the characters and their sweet love story that unfolded in the harsh Wyoming territory. Great story. Not a lot of drama or miscommunication that I appreciated and although it is not explicit it is not without feeling.