Whispering Hills of Love

American Wilderness #3

by Dorothy Wiley

In this compassionately written tale of romance and survival, Kelly McGuffin—an innocent victim of violence and neglect—is haunted by shame. At age eighteen, loneliness and danger compel her to leave her remote cabin in the Virginia mountains to travel west with the Wyllie brothers to Boonesborough, Kentucky. Kelly’s feelings for her heroic rescuer, Sheriff William Wyllie, remain confused and obscured beneath her worsening veil of fear. Caught in the untamed world of the frontier—both breathtakingly beautiful and shockingly cruel—Kelly is unable to control her uncertain future.

William keeps his attraction to Kelly hidden, to give her time to heal and to become the strong woman he knows she can be. As the brave sheriff of Boonesborough, on the very edge of the wilderness, William knows how to challenge difficulties head-on. But Kelly’s heart-rending problems mount with frightening speed as harrowing forces confront her. William seeks to protect Kelly from further trauma, but he also helps her learn to find strength from within. To do that, she must confront the hardest person to be honest with—herself.

Can Kelly untie her tangled emotions and let her heart smile for the first time? Will William’s tender love, and belief in Kelly, heal her soul? Can they come together to battle the most disturbing and shocking event of all?

Journey to the stunning wilderness of Kentucky and meet a memorable cast of heroes, outlaws, Indians, and settlers. Skillfully written, richly authentic, powerfully dramatic, WHISPERING HILLS OF LOVE, is a book that will make you weep, laugh, cringe in fear, fall in love, and remember.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Amazon, Ebooks, Westerns

308 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 23, 2015

About the author

DOROTHY WILEY
Storyteller of Love and Heroes on the American Frontier and the Scottish Highlands.

Amazon bestselling novelist Dorothy Wiley is an award-winning, multi-published author of Medieval Scottish and American Historical Romance. Wiley’s novels blend vivid historical elements and thrilling action with the romance of a moving love story to create exceedingly engaging page-turners. Her exceptional historical romances, inspired by history and true events, have won numerous awards, and have more than 8,500 five-star reader reviews on Amazon.

Her first two series, the American Wilderness and Wilderness Hearts Series are set on the American frontier when Kentucky was the West. Her third series, Wilderness Dawning, continues the highly acclaimed Wyllie family saga but brings some of the family to the new edge of the West—the Province of Texas. Wiley's fourth series, Wilderness Valor, returns some family members to Kentucky where they join heroes with extraordinary courage.

Wiley’s novel LETTERS OF FIRE AND SWORD, set in Medieval Scotland, merges Scotland’s gut-wrenching history with extraordinary fiction and was the #1 NEW RELEASE IN MEDIEVAL HISTORICAL ROMANCE when it was released.
This gripping tale is a gut-wrenching historical romance with realistic depictions of the past, a courageous king and his knights, and women willing to fight for what they cherish.

Her books’ timeless messages of family and loyalty are both raw and honest. As she skillfully unravels a compelling tale, the author’s complex characters come alive and are joined by a memorable ensemble of friends and family.

Wiley’s novels have won numerous awards, notably a Western Writers of America Finalist; a Will Rogers Medallion Award Finalist; RONE Award Finalist; Laramie Award Finalist; Chatelaine Romantic Fiction Finalist; Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Quarter-finalist; a Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal; USA Best Book Awards Finalist; and a Historical Novel Society Editor’s Choice. Her books continue to earn five-star ratings from readers and high praise from reviewers.

Wiley attended college at The University of Texas in Austin. She graduated with honors, receiving a bachelor of journalism, and grew to dearly love both Texas and a 7th-generation Texan, her husband Larry. Her husband’s courageous ancestors, early pioneers of Kentucky and Texas, provided the inspiration for American Wilderness novels and Wiley's own Scots ancestors inspired her Scottish novels. After a distinguished career in corporate marketing and public relations, Wiley is living her dream—writing novels that touch the hearts of her readers.

Each book is a stand-alone, full-length, tastefully romantic novel. All of Wiley's titles are enrolled in Kindle Unlimited and are available in print, eBooks, and saudiobooks at www.amazon.com/author/dorothywiley.

If you have read Wiley's books, she would greatly appreciate a short review on the book’s Amazon page.

AMERICAN WILDERNESS SERIES - Wyllie family brothers
Book One – WILDERNESS TRAIL OF LOVE
Book Two – NEW FRONTIER OF LOVE
Book Three – WHISPERING HILLS OF LOVE
Book Four – FRONTIER HIGHLANDER VOW OF LOVE
Book Five – FRONTIER GIFT OF LOVE
Book Six – THE BEAUTY OF LOVE

WILDERNESS HEARTS SERIES - Wyllie brothers and their grown children
Book One – LOVE’S NEW BEGINNING
Book Two – LOVE’S SUNRISE
Book Three – LOVE'S GLORY
Book Four – LOVE'S WHISPER

WILDERNESS DAWNING - The Texas Wyllie Brothers Series
Book One – RED RIVER RIFLES
Book Two – LAND OF STARS
Book Three – BUCKSKIN ANGEL
Book Four – LAND OF HEROES

MEDIEVAL SCOTLAND
– LETTERS OF FIRE AND SWORD

WILDERNESS VALOR
Book One - SHERIFF'S VALOR

CONNECT with Dorothy:
Join Wiley’s readers' list to sign up for her infrequent newsletter and you can send her a note under the Contact tab on her website dorothywiley.com.
Facebook: DorothyMayWiley
BookBub: Author Dorothy Wiley

Reviews

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dorothy Wiley has become my favorite writer of romantic historical fiction. Ok. So I do not read a great deal of romance books; but Ms. Wiley’s works are good by the standards of any genre. Set on the Kentucky frontier in 1797, Whispering Hills of Love gives the reader a great deal of action and adventure in a setting of near pristine beauty. Her characters are deftly written. The heroes and heroines remain inspiring while fallible and honorable yet believable. It is a remarkable balance that the author has achieved. The legendary Daniel Boone even makes an appearance! Whispering Hills features two young lovers who must battle and outwit kidnappers, Indian renegades and even a drunken father determined to keep them apart. The plot is well thought out and the action is even paced. I truly began to cheer on the couple. There is even a spunky little dog who keeps finding himself in the wrong place at the wrong time! I cannot wait for Ms. Wiley’s next book!

[Coco.V]

🎁 Romancing the Wilderness: American Wilderness Series Boxed Bundle Books 1 - 3 is FREE on Amazon today (11/10/2020)! 🎁

[Maria Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect love story.

The story of William and Kelly is beautifully written and engaging and may just end up being one of those classics. It not only draws you into a beautiful love story (with plenty of steam) that you don't want to put down, but it has substance and meaning and has the potential to help many young women who have battled similar demons. I love the way she portrays her women characters who are strong, independent, and stubborn and so likable you want to hug them. And oh my gosh, William! Like her other books, it has excitement and adventure of the wild west and colorful characters like Daniel Boone, along with watching true love unfold perfectly. Like a beautiful bottle of wine, you'll want to sip and enjoy this one. Don't forget the box of chocolate to go with it! It would make a very lovely gift for Valentine's Day for anyone! Enjoy!

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is #3 in the Wyllie brothers series, a saga the takes place in 1797 as the family leaves New Hampshire for the wilds of Kentucky. The first two are the stories of Stephen and his wife Jane, followed by Sam and Catherine. (I do recommend that this series be read in order.)

This time it’s brother William and young Kelly McGuffin. Left alone in a wilderness shack by her alcoholic trapper father, Kelly is rescued by William and Stephen as they come upon her being raped by two intruders. Kelly is traumatized by the event of course, but is welcomed by the Wyllie family as they travel to Kentucky to begin their new lives. With them she feels protected and cared for.

Its in Boonesborough, Kentucky when the adventures begin for William and Kelly, She is a tutor living with a well to do family, and William is made Sheriff. There is an unspoken attraction between the two of them, but circumstances, guilt and shyness are major roadblocks. Seems as though things are going ok, until her abusive and demanding father tracks her down. Life is not easy for this tender young woman with so much to overcome.

I have enjoyed Dorothy Wiley’s American Wilderness Series. It gives me insight as to how our country was settled, western layer by western layer. Even though this story is fictitious, what the Wyllie family endures is a common story of true facts from our forefathers. I have invested time in Wyllie family and will happily buy, and keep in my personal library, all of the series – including the forthcoming continuation of adopted brother Bear. I like author Dorothy Wiley’s style of writing and her subject matter. I learn new historical info, and the girly part of me enjoys the thread of romance. Btw, I loved the inclusion of Daniel Boone in the story - how fun is that! Well done, yet again!

[Deborah Gafford · Rating 5 out of 5]

In WHISPERING HILLS OF LOVE, the author deals with two very difficult subjects and handles them very well. For years, the heroine, Kelly McGuffin, has had to live with loneliness, abandonment, and her alcoholic father's drunken binges since her mother died. While living alone, she is accosted by two strangers and brutally raped by one but rescued by Sheriff William Wyllie and his brother before the other stranger can do it as well.

Kelly must learn to cope with her fears and become a stronger woman inside in order to have a happy life in the future. How she is able to rise above what happened and learn to love again is very heart-touching and believable.

Well done, Ms. Wiley!

[LUAYNE · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

The first three books all deserve 5 stars. It has been along time since a good old western has been produced. This series would be the ticket. Waiting for Bear's story is extremely nerve racking. I highly recommend these books.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

And the series continues

I'm enjoying this series by Dorothy Wiley. I hope we get Bear's story soon. Love on the frontier is woven into the story of the building of Kentucky. Great read.

[✧ Elle Jae ✧]

Wow. This book is bad. The story is absurd, though not at all supposed to be. The writing feels very amateurish. So many horrible things happen to this woman that it's eyerollingly hilarious... I tried but I just couldn't finish it. Made it to 72%, but had to throw in the towel.

For example... (just before the story starts) heroine is the victim of a horrrrrible rape, rescued by our hero dude. Story begins... she likes him, he likes her, she's deep in her trauma, he's very patient with her trauma, doesn't want to spook her, she gets fired from her tutoring job because of her nightmares (from her trauma), he's about to tell her that he likes her when her absent deadbeat father shows up and demands she go with him back to her original home, since she got fired and because hero dude doesn't profess his love for her, she leaves her hero dude and goes with her father, the drunk deadbeat, and when her drunk dad falls asleep that night, that same night, aka day one of the story, a brothel talent finder lurking about in the woods (aka human trafficker) kidnaps her, doses her with opium, and intends to give her an "education" so she'll be ready to work at the brothel. Luckily our hero dude is a master tracker and he finds her, kills brothel talent scout dude who had kidnapped her, asks her to marry him, they marry on the trail, she gets over her trauma instantly because of his love...

William helps heals her trauma, with his love and patience...

Even my dearest Tim Campbell, narrating this story, could not turn this around for me.

DNF @ 72%

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kelly McGuffin has been through a horrific trauma one that’s age old to women throughout the world. Suffering a rape by two unsuspecting men Kelly is rescued by two of the Wylie brothers and leaves her remote mountain home to travel to Boonesborough to a new life. Kelly is although she is sorting through her traumatized and demeaning affair she is a strong minded young woman and looking forward to a better life and just maybe someone that will take the demons from her dreams.

Sheriff William Wiley was instantly drawn to the traumatized Kelly when he and his brother happen upon a small cabin tucked away in the mountains where he finds two men raping the young girl. They quickly put away the rapists and secure Kelly with their traveling family en route to a new life in Kentucky. William, a single, ladies sort of man has been one that loves all the women with his blond locks and good looks he’s never settled down to just one woman. He’s not sure that he can until Kelly McGuffin comes into his life. Williams is bound by the law acting as Sheriff in the town of Boonesborough and studying law to eventually become a lawyer, his heart is fatefully tied to the blond haired beauty that he and his brother rescued.

This book is another winner from Dorothy Wiley and the third one I’ve read. I just love this series and this one in particular as the author touches on the subject of rape, it through her depth of the subject gives women who has suffered a traumatic event like this a sense of hope. True love can overcome the inner demons that women face after a brutal invasion of their body and soul. I think the author has broached a subject that victims of rape need to know, that life does go on and there are good men out there that can help their minds to heal in a healthy way through endearing and continuing love of life.

All the books in this series is a ‘I can’t put it down’ kind of story. The characters are well rounded good pioneer Americans trying to carve out their lives in a harsh and dangerous time in our American history. This story will grab you from the beginning and keep you immersed in the lives of the characters throughout to the end. I wish the book would have been a little bit longer myself and it didn’t have a big event life event like the other two I read but none the less this book delves into the courage of a young woman through her traumatic past has overcome her fears and rid herself of her demons through the love of a good man.

I highly recommend this book to all ages and of course I’m a big fan of the historical Western era especially the Pioneers of the time period that built the towns and communities that eventually have become the great western cities that we know today. These people suffered through trials that we today cannot even fathom and their endurance and inner strength have overcome obstacles that have triumphed throughout time. But I do suggest that you read the books in order so you’ll get the whole story of this family.

I’m giving this book an RT rating of five stars just like I did the other books in this series and the cover, well it just didn’t do that much for me but it’s still a very nice cover and goes hand to hand with the two main characters, I give it a four heart rating.

[JoAnne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review was originally posted on Romancing-the-Book.com and is shown below:

Wiley is three for three in my book since all three books in this series, Wilderness Trail of Love, New Frontier of Love and now Whispering Hills of Love have all received a five star rating from me! This book is again set in the historical time period that I most favor – the American frontier and the formation of America during the Westward expansion. My emotions were engaged throughout with tears, heartache, disbelief, horror, fright, happiness and laughter. This book begins right where book two in the series ends, in Kentucky in the Fall of 1797, although this is totally William and Kelly’s story.

The prologue set the stage for what is to come by retelling a life changing and horrific incident that happened to Kelly in book two. Once again I am transported as if I am there with all of them in Boonesborough, Kentucky – the land of Daniel Boone. We even meet up with Boone several times and it only adds more power to the storytelling. William’s brothers, Sam and Bear, are still with William in Boonesborough and part of the storyline but other family members are remembered and mentioned throughout. There are Indians and their raids, town’s people, thieves, outlaws, family and friends along with wonderful descriptions of the land, the homes, the town, the cavern they sought shelter in, the hardworking people and militia along with romance and love. Kelly has more grit and determination in her than even she could believe but blows William and others away with her actions. Whether she’s loving and kind even after her past hardships, tracking and chasing Indians or fighting for what’s hers, her strength shines through each and every time. Watching her and William be drawn to each other but be unsure of the others feelings was heartbreaking at times. They were each strong in their own right but when they joined forces they were indestructible. Once again it was good to have Sam and Bear with William during some troubling times but we do ultimately see them leave Boonesborough to join their families elsewhere in Kentucky. Riley, the puppy that William gives Kelly, is a nice addition to the storyline and worth his weight in gold!

William. as the Sheriff of Boonesborough. shows us his strengths and it is mind boggling when he lists some of the responsibilities of his job which he takes very seriously. He also shows us his caring side as well as the leadership skills he possesses. Watching him in action, whether dealing with strategies or in a gunfight, and seeing how the people look up to him is very rewarding. He’s learned from the best – his brothers – and his skills are magnificent. There was a happily ever after and lots more happiness promised for the future even in the not totally lawful Kentucky. There was nice closure and all I could do was sigh at the end.

I look forward to reading many more books in the series and can’t wait for Bear’s story to be told in book four! Wiley has become one of my favorite authors over the course of these three books!

[Jamie Segreto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Needs polisj

This story really tries but just isn't quite "there." First, simply too much happens to this young woman. The author tries to pack in too much and the results are both unbelievable and awkward. First, no one experiences this many traumatic events in such a short time period. Secondly, her ability to " get over" events and be perfectly happy quite suddenly just doesn't make sense. (I don't want to say more or give away the story). There are also writing issues, for instance, at one point the sheriff thinks to himself, "its no wonder her tummy hurts." Using the word tummy doesn't fit the character at all. At another point someone is sitting , then standing, then sitting again in one sentence and without it making sense. The characters were dining, she needs to stand on tiptoe to kiss him (he never stood, nor would he have), then he jumps up from his seat. These are just a few examples. The main characters are likable but the writing makes it hard to enjoy, I will not be reading anymore of her books.

[Deborah Gafford · Rating 5 out of 5]

In WHISPERING HILLS OF LOVE, the author deals with two very difficult subjects and handles them very well. For years, the heroine, Kelly McGuffin, has had to live with loneliness, abandonment, and her alcoholic father's drunken binges since her mother died. While living alone, she is accosted by two strangers and brutally raped by one but rescued by Sheriff William Wyllie and his brother before the other stranger can do it as well.

Kelly must learn to cope with her fears and become a stronger woman inside in order to have a happy life in the future. How she is able to rise above what happened and learn to love again is very heart-touching and believable.

Well done, Ms. Wiley!

[Roberta Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whispering Hills of Love is Wiley's third novel and my favorite. This was a fast-paced story filled with both gritty realism and the beauty of the Kentucky wilderness in 1797. I loved the strength of character displayed by Kelly, despite the many difficult challenges she faced. And William--my what a heroic character and lovable guy!The love and romance that gradually develops between the two characters is well done and tasteful. Really enjoyed this book. Can't wait for the next in the series!

[Kathleen Ruggio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Love Story

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Although it speakers about a social problem, I think a book like this may help some women who have been raped. The love that heals Kelly is so pure, kind and all encompassing. William is a special man who helps Kelly overcome the obstacles that a victim faces. They have a very special love story which heals even the readers to the soul.

[Carol and Gary Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This tale of the frontier isn't really a Western but it was quite well done nonetheless. A quick, easy and entertaining reading experience. I've now read two books by his author and each has been excellent.

[sandy cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dorothy Wiley good series. Highly recommend.

Well written with good historical references. The story flows thru these 4 books. Makes you want to pick up the next one. Great Characters.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, healing, suspenseful

So many emotions all rolled up in this tale! It's beautiful, healing, suspenseful, and filled with the blossoming love of Sheriff William and the frightened young Kelly, who becomes brave as his love emboldens her!

[Delta]

Free 07-07-15

http://www.amazon.com/Whispering-Amer...

[Phyllis Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love

This was a great book and was so surprised she overcame her rape and they found each other,loved your story

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Can't wait to read the next book in the series. Please write some more good books. Thank you for being entertaining.

[Phyllis C Surface · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quick, easy read.

Quick easy read, Pioneer days theme; romance, adventure. Didn't think characters were but one dimensional but they fit with this story type

[Maggie Shanley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay historical romance, but I kept wondering how many bad things could happen to just one person and then she just gets over it by listening to the wind.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emotional and gripping...

[Tracy Sylvester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kelly McGuffin has certainly suffered things she should have never had to. During one such awful event she gets rescued by the Wyllie brothers. Over time she befriends the three brothers and learns to heal from her ordeal. She leaves her hometown with the brothers and moves on to Kentucky. William Wyllie takes a position in Boonesborough, Kentucky. This book is full of historical moments in history that depicts the actual events of the times between the natives and the villagers of towns. I loved the strength of the characters in the book.

[Katy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kelley was alone on the Blue Ridge homestead when two strangers approached her to spend the night. Later they raped her but the Wyllie brothers heard her screaming. They saved her and invited her to join their wagon train to the Kentucky frontier. She accepted.

The story is interesting in that we see how the trauma of both neglect and rape can affect a woman, regardless of the time period. Kelley had no one to turn to, but she survived and made a life for herself. An interesting topic to weave into a historical novel, not creating a victim but yet showing the soul of a person.

[Sarah B White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can Love Overcome Abuse?

This book, the third in the series of six books, focuses on Kelly, a young woman we met in book one who was left alone in a cabin for months at a time while her father hunted animals for their fur. She was alone most of the time and had to be self-sufficient in order to survive in their remote cabin. Tragically, she had been abused. Read this book to see how she was helped by a sheriff and how she became courageous because of their relationship. I enjoyed this book and hope you do also.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay

I felt that this story was very rushed. There were so many incidents that occurred in such a short time, it felt like every other paragraph was a new struggle. For an historical romance, I thought the author missed out on the opportunity to include more of the history of Kentucky and instead jam packed the entire book with an unrealistic story of never-ending struggles within a short span of time.

[Darlene A. Ford · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a gentle love story. There are some bad things that happen but they are handled as a challenge to get through and move on with a promising life. I especially liked the historical Kentucky which is the setting for the story and the appearance of Daniel Boone. You could feel the land and the elements talk to you throughout the book.

[Rosemary Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have submitted this review after listening to the audiobook of this title. (Audible Membership)

She met him on the worst day of her life. He was a balm to her tortured soul, giving her space to come to terms with what had happened to her.
Then, just as he was about to declare himself, she was torn away from him.
This time, he knew his soul, as he followed after her..

[carol ann miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

Another wonderful story about our new frontier. This one in Kentucky where I was able to live for 14 years. This story will keep you entertained from beginning to the end.