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A Proper Heart
Torn between the duty of a loveless marriage and her childhood crush, Allie has no idea which way to turn…
Allie Coghill is a woman on the edge. Forced into a train wreck of a marriage, she knows her choices are limited and her time is running out.
It’s 1910 and, in northern Idaho, all of her options come with the potential for disastrous consequences. So when her childhood crush, Frank, appears out of nowhere and seems eager to join her as she escapes from her marriage, Allie accepts his help knowing she will have to take care not to lose her heart to him.
But Allie’s husband won’t let her go without a fight. As his rage against her escalates to the point of no return, at the same time a record-breaking wildfire ignites the land, forcing Allie to make a final choice and hope she can escape the flames before they consume her.
Allie Coghill is a woman on the edge. Forced into a train wreck of a marriage, she knows her choices are limited and her time is running out.
It’s 1910 and, in northern Idaho, all of her options come with the potential for disastrous consequences. So when her childhood crush, Frank, appears out of nowhere and seems eager to join her as she escapes from her marriage, Allie accepts his help knowing she will have to take care not to lose her heart to him.
But Allie’s husband won’t let her go without a fight. As his rage against her escalates to the point of no return, at the same time a record-breaking wildfire ignites the land, forcing Allie to make a final choice and hope she can escape the flames before they consume her.
- GenresHistorical Romance
348 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2021
335 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Stefanie Bridges-Mikota
24 books178 followersStefanie Bridges-Mikota grew up in a small town in southwestern Washington where she learned timeless values. She married her high school sweetheart and they are now raising their children in the kind of happily-ever-after that often happens in books.
Although middle age is creeping up far too quickly, Stefanie is still trying to decide what to do when she grows up. She has worked in a variety of fields, each one another stepping stone on the path to being a published author.
To follow Stefanie like her Facebook page... or send her an email at stefaniemikota@gmail.com. You can also visit her website at https://stefaniemikota.wixsite.com/we... She loves hearing from her readers.
Although middle age is creeping up far too quickly, Stefanie is still trying to decide what to do when she grows up. She has worked in a variety of fields, each one another stepping stone on the path to being a published author.
To follow Stefanie like her Facebook page... or send her an email at stefaniemikota@gmail.com. You can also visit her website at https://stefaniemikota.wixsite.com/we... She loves hearing from her readers.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 22, 2020
A Proper Heart
Sweet Promise Press
Allie helped her parents working at a restaurant, the town is suffering from lack of rain, wells drying up the creeks are low. She meets a handsome man named Eddie. He proposes marriage. She jumps at the chance thinking this will help her family. You see the man she loves left town, she feels she has nothing left to do.
As soon as her new husband gets her home he starts controlling her. Tells her to stay home. It isn’t safe. Then starts the hitting. She looses time and really wakes up one day after punishment from her husband she leaves.
On the way home she meets Frank, he is the man she wished to be with before he left town. He left to become a doctor. Now what will they do? You see in this era women were property to her husband. Divorces are new.
She learns a valuable lesson. Turn over your problems to God.
Wonderful story. I normally dislike abusing stories. But this story didn’t get into graphic details. It spoke of a woman who was abused. Her escape. And her learning to trust.
During the fires now this story could be hard to read. There is a wildfire in this novel. People loose their lives.
My disclaimer...
I was given a copy of this book for my honest review.
Any book or novels I leave reviews on are not dependent on the book/novel review author’s opinion. No one influenced my voluntary review for any of the books or novels I read, they are my own opinions.
Sweet Promise Press
Allie helped her parents working at a restaurant, the town is suffering from lack of rain, wells drying up the creeks are low. She meets a handsome man named Eddie. He proposes marriage. She jumps at the chance thinking this will help her family. You see the man she loves left town, she feels she has nothing left to do.
As soon as her new husband gets her home he starts controlling her. Tells her to stay home. It isn’t safe. Then starts the hitting. She looses time and really wakes up one day after punishment from her husband she leaves.
On the way home she meets Frank, he is the man she wished to be with before he left town. He left to become a doctor. Now what will they do? You see in this era women were property to her husband. Divorces are new.
She learns a valuable lesson. Turn over your problems to God.
Wonderful story. I normally dislike abusing stories. But this story didn’t get into graphic details. It spoke of a woman who was abused. Her escape. And her learning to trust.
During the fires now this story could be hard to read. There is a wildfire in this novel. People loose their lives.
My disclaimer...
I was given a copy of this book for my honest review.
Any book or novels I leave reviews on are not dependent on the book/novel review author’s opinion. No one influenced my voluntary review for any of the books or novels I read, they are my own opinions.
September 19, 2020
I really enjoyed this book by an author who was new to me. Even though it was about a woman in 1910, she still didn't have many rights when it came to an abusive marriage. Hard to believe! She wanted to be able to leave that marriage and get a divorce but the law was still on the man's side at that time. Thankfully, things are different now! At that time she had to sneak away in the middle of the night, couldn't even take the train but had to disguise herself as a man, and somehow get herself to her parents' house in another state! How courageous! Allie lives in constant fear that her husband will show up and take her back but she also becomes so much stronger in finding herself and the person she came become. This author wrote a wonderful character study in a woman who had so many setbacks in her life but kept on getting back up and forging ahead. She also reconnected with a childhood crush who constantly encouraged her to get stronger also. Allie and Frank were a wonderful couple, but more than that, they were great people! I highly recommend this historical Christian fiction! A great example of how to overcome challenges!
October 21, 2021
I liked this book very much. I thought it was well written. I thought the characters in the book were very developed. I liked the characters for the most part; especially the main characters, Allie and Frank. I also liked Allie’s parents. I think they were important for the telling of the story. Also Allie’s husband was very well developed as the villain in this story.
For the most part I thought the pace of the story was very good; but I thought the ending was rather abrupt. I know that the story of Allie and Frank continues in the second volume of this series. But, I still feel volume 1 ended to abruptly. It ended before I realized it was over. I had to reread the last page to understand it was the end.
I liked that there was no profanity or sexually explicit dialogue in the telling of the story. I will be reading volume two in this series. I am not certain if I will continue beyond volume two at this point.
For the most part I thought the pace of the story was very good; but I thought the ending was rather abrupt. I know that the story of Allie and Frank continues in the second volume of this series. But, I still feel volume 1 ended to abruptly. It ended before I realized it was over. I had to reread the last page to understand it was the end.
I liked that there was no profanity or sexually explicit dialogue in the telling of the story. I will be reading volume two in this series. I am not certain if I will continue beyond volume two at this point.
September 24, 2020
A gripping story that grabs your attention immediately and continues in the manner throughout. As Allie struggles through her decision to escape from her abusive husband, she meets her high school sweetheart on the train headed back to her parents. The book continues in an action packed storyline that keeps you totally engrossed. Allie struggles with her faith quite openly in the beginning chapters, but by the end she has found a level of peace and acceptance with the Lord as a constant in her life. This is a new author to me and I was pleasantly pleased with the content, characters, and non-stop action that marked this book. A clean Christian Romance with mystery and intrigue prominently figured within.Vicki
I received an ARC copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest review with my own personal opinions.
VICKI FROM WYOMING
I received an ARC copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest review with my own personal opinions.
VICKI FROM WYOMING
September 18, 2020
This was the first book in the new Hardships of the Heart series. I really enjoy reading books about the late 1800's. This book was fascinating as it focused on how a married woman could be treated and how the law was on the side of the man. It also focused on the other hardships of that time period.
The main character, Allie was so strong, especially when nothing seemed to go her way until she started praying and really listening to the Sunday sermons. Following her tale in this book was so fascinating and I am so thankful times have changed. I think the author did a great job in showcasing how life was during that time and I really liked her depth into the character of Allie. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
The main character, Allie was so strong, especially when nothing seemed to go her way until she started praying and really listening to the Sunday sermons. Following her tale in this book was so fascinating and I am so thankful times have changed. I think the author did a great job in showcasing how life was during that time and I really liked her depth into the character of Allie. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
September 26, 2020
“A Proper Heart” is the story of a young woman, Allie, her abusive husband, Eddie, and the man who loves her, Frank. Allie escapes from Eddie and goes home to her family to heal and figure out her next steps, but in 1910 a woman’s rights were severely limited.
I received a free advanced reader copy of this book for my voluntary honest review. This is a good story with well-developed characters. It sustained my attention with the exception of two or three lengthy observations by the author on the development of national parks and the failures of forest management leading to forest fires. These interrupted the pace of the book and added nothing to the storyline.
Overall I would recommend this book.
I received a free advanced reader copy of this book for my voluntary honest review. This is a good story with well-developed characters. It sustained my attention with the exception of two or three lengthy observations by the author on the development of national parks and the failures of forest management leading to forest fires. These interrupted the pace of the book and added nothing to the storyline.
Overall I would recommend this book.
November 27, 2020
This a heart rending story of abuse and courage. Allie finds er way back home in trepidation not knowing for sure what will happen, especially if Eddie shows up. The time period did not give women much rights and some things just were not done, divorce being one. Not everyone agreed with the laws and Allie found help from her parents and friends back home. But she lived in fear knowing if Eddie showed up it would get ugly. Nature turns nasty and this brings both hardship and freedom. This story pulled at my heart strings as no woman or man, for that matter should ever be subject to the kind of treatment Allie was. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Sweet Promise Press and chose to write a review
September 20, 2020
First, I want to say I loved this book, that said, don’t expect a sweet sugary romance. Stefanie Bridges-Mikota has given us a story that you want to keep reading and that I found I needed a break from occasionally. Abuse is always hard to read and especially when you realize how little resources or support was available at this time. I fell in love with Allie and her strength. I can understand her and her tendency to act before praying and seeking God’s will. I can’t wait to start Book 2.
September 20, 2020
Gripping from beginning to read. Healing of the heart takes a lot more time then the healing up of the scars that can be seen. Frank is a great character, kind, patient and a visual pillar of strength for Allie. Allie has a very compassionate nature so her "fairytale" was instead a rude awakening. This time period is always difficult to read due to the hardships that are portrayed which add an array of emotions, her turn of events brings her full circle with a silver lining. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 22, 2021
This book grabbed me from the first few pages and never let go! Set in 1910, it's the story a young woman caught in an abusive, loveless marriage with seemingly no way out. Even though she was able to escape back to her parents' home in another state, she lived in fear of her husband coming to get her and drag her back to him. There weren't laws back then protecting women. Abusive men held the power.
The author's development of the characters was realistic and well done. I highly recommend this story.
The author's development of the characters was realistic and well done. I highly recommend this story.
September 19, 2020
Fantastic characters! This is a great story about new beginnings and courage. This story definitely drew me in and had me on the edge of my seat. A sweet clean romance that worked through fear and heartache. I loved the message of giving our problems to God and letting him lead us. A beautiful story that will melt your heart and take you on an unforgettable journey.
Was given a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Was given a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
September 29, 2020
A Proper Heart is the first installment from Stefanie Bridges-Mikota’s Hardships of the Heart series and my first introduction to her writing. I thought this story was a pretty good story. It was a sweet romance and I loved it.
I am A Proper Heart four stars. I look forward to the next installment from the Hardships of the Heart series.
I received A Proper Heart from the publisher, but was not required to write a review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
I am A Proper Heart four stars. I look forward to the next installment from the Hardships of the Heart series.
I received A Proper Heart from the publisher, but was not required to write a review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
November 2, 2020
Could not put this book down!
I gave this book a four star rating. I reserve five star ratings for the classics!
From the first chapter to the last, this book captured my attention! I read all genres of books. History, biographies, all types of fiction. I often take to historical romances for light reading. This book was easy to get into. The storyline and characters kept it a page turner. Will read more books by this author in the future. Patricia
I gave this book a four star rating. I reserve five star ratings for the classics!
From the first chapter to the last, this book captured my attention! I read all genres of books. History, biographies, all types of fiction. I often take to historical romances for light reading. This book was easy to get into. The storyline and characters kept it a page turner. Will read more books by this author in the future. Patricia
April 27, 2021
Abuse is real and portrayed well in this story
The characters were well developed and as true to life as this difficult subject was able to expand on. The plot and intertwining story lines were written with much thought and detail. The subject was strong and may not be for the gentle hearted reader. There was a strong dependence on God shown in this story. It was a well written story.
The characters were well developed and as true to life as this difficult subject was able to expand on. The plot and intertwining story lines were written with much thought and detail. The subject was strong and may not be for the gentle hearted reader. There was a strong dependence on God shown in this story. It was a well written story.
May 19, 2022
Allie finds her joy
What an emotional story! Allie, for being a small town young lady, sure was a deep thinker and feeler. Eddie was just pure evil. Frank, bless his heart, was such a sweet, gentle, caring man.
I almost gave the story four stars due to the very abrupt ending, thinking that Allie and Frank’s story was over, but I see now that it continues. However, I wish there would have been a wedding scene ❤️
What an emotional story! Allie, for being a small town young lady, sure was a deep thinker and feeler. Eddie was just pure evil. Frank, bless his heart, was such a sweet, gentle, caring man.
I almost gave the story four stars due to the very abrupt ending, thinking that Allie and Frank’s story was over, but I see now that it continues. However, I wish there would have been a wedding scene ❤️
September 19, 2020
This is a book that once you start reading it you can't put it down. Allie's story will touch your heart with all she has to go through. It is full of emotions and you can feel every one of them. This book will make you laugh, cry and feel every emotion in between. If you like christian historical fiction, you will love this book
September 10, 2021
A Proper Heart is in the 1st book in the series Hardships of the heart by Stefanie Bridge-Mikota. I couldn't put this book down because it was so good. Allie's story of her marriage was full of hardship. What she went through to leave and survive was a difficult journey for her. It is a Christian fiction book.
October 6, 2020
Allie full heart, so many emotions, you laugh, you cry, you scream, you have thoughts of wanting to hurt someone, then stand up and cheer for her when something, anything goes right for her, and so much more!!!
September 20, 2022
A Proper Heart
Very interesting and entertaining story about an abused spouse trying to escape her painful life and start over. Never an easy thing to do but even harder a century ago.
Very interesting and entertaining story about an abused spouse trying to escape her painful life and start over. Never an easy thing to do but even harder a century ago.
December 20, 2022
A Proper Heart
Allie had to escape from living with Eddie before he killed her by beating her so much. Allie went home to her parents and to see her friend Frank…
This was a GREAT BOOK…
Allie had to escape from living with Eddie before he killed her by beating her so much. Allie went home to her parents and to see her friend Frank…
This was a GREAT BOOK…
August 4, 2024
A woman fighting for a life
This book was very interesting in describing how difficult it was for abused women. Describing the way forest fires were even popular news for a history lesson.
This book was very interesting in describing how difficult it was for abused women. Describing the way forest fires were even popular news for a history lesson.
October 6, 2020
Great story.
This is one of those books where when you put it down you can't wait to get back reading. Loved it.
This is one of those books where when you put it down you can't wait to get back reading. Loved it.
October 7, 2020
I absolutely love this series and am in the middle of Book 2 and so far so good! Keep them coming!
Rilla Leboe (Wooler)
Rilla Leboe (Wooler)
April 9, 2021
Great book. Ready to read the next one
April 22, 2021
Poorly written
It was a stupid story with no real ending. It’s easy to see why this was a free book. Not worth reading much less buying
It was a stupid story with no real ending. It’s easy to see why this was a free book. Not worth reading much less buying
July 31, 2021
Great book
August 20, 2023
A must read
I really enjoying this book. I'm sure it will give you a much better look at women. It's really proper and every page vs been amazin.
I really enjoying this book. I'm sure it will give you a much better look at women. It's really proper and every page vs been amazin.
October 10, 2022
Allie’s in danger. And in the early American era of the story, the one man who can help her can’t get close enough to do just that. The Montana story is fraught with tension and danger and carries a strong message that with God’s guidance, survival and happiness can be achieved. I see in another review that Allie and Frank’s story continues in the series. Good. I wasn’t quite ready to be done with them.
August 16, 2022
A Proper HeartA Proper Heart by Stefanie Mikota is book 1 in the Hardships of the Heart historical clean romance series. The story is great!
I ended up reading this book series out of order but it ended up being okay as each book can be read as a stand alone. However, I do recommend reading the whole series if you can (regardless of the order) as each book enhances the others and creates a wonderful book series.
I cannot wait to read more of Ms. Mikota's other books and series!
I ended up reading this book series out of order but it ended up being okay as each book can be read as a stand alone. However, I do recommend reading the whole series if you can (regardless of the order) as each book enhances the others and creates a wonderful book series.
I cannot wait to read more of Ms. Mikota's other books and series!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews