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Healing Hearts #1
Rescuing Her Heart
As her husband’s evil deeds haunt a mail-order bride from the grave, can she learn to trust again and open her heart to true love?
On visitation rounds as a lay preacher, the last thing rancher Jed Holt expects is to be shot at from the barn next to a burned-down homestead. But the soot-covered woman hiding inside needs protecting, and Jed is the man to do it whether she likes it or not. Delilah James’s nightmares began when she came to Kansas as a mail-order bride. Her husband was nothing like his letters. Now that he is dead, she can’t shake his abuse from her heart. Trusting men tops her never-again list and taking a job on the Holt ranch as a housekeeper is a means to save money and bring her parents west. But her attraction to the compassionate former chaplain both angers and confuses her.
Jed has his own nightmares from a POW camp and understands Delilah better than she knows. Can two broken people form a forever bond?
On visitation rounds as a lay preacher, the last thing rancher Jed Holt expects is to be shot at from the barn next to a burned-down homestead. But the soot-covered woman hiding inside needs protecting, and Jed is the man to do it whether she likes it or not. Delilah James’s nightmares began when she came to Kansas as a mail-order bride. Her husband was nothing like his letters. Now that he is dead, she can’t shake his abuse from her heart. Trusting men tops her never-again list and taking a job on the Holt ranch as a housekeeper is a means to save money and bring her parents west. But her attraction to the compassionate former chaplain both angers and confuses her.
Jed has his own nightmares from a POW camp and understands Delilah better than she knows. Can two broken people form a forever bond?
382 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2021
24 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 12, 2022
Nice story
This was a new to me author. Very good story dealing with domestic abuse and the ramifications. Well told and I enjoyed it.
This was a new to me author. Very good story dealing with domestic abuse and the ramifications. Well told and I enjoyed it.
February 3, 2022
Just finished this great novel by Cindy Ervin Huff!! Loved it!! Cindy has written a beautiful story of faith, love, redemption, and healing!! This novel has believable characters that tug at your heart. I highly recommend this novel to readers of historical romance!! 5🌟
July 8, 2021
A satisfying tale
Cindy Ervin Huff has penned a powerful story of healing and redemption, a story of hope rising from the ashes of past abuse and self-doubt. Rescuing Her Heart draws the reader in and keeps you reading to the very satisfying end. I highly recommend this book.
Cindy Ervin Huff has penned a powerful story of healing and redemption, a story of hope rising from the ashes of past abuse and self-doubt. Rescuing Her Heart draws the reader in and keeps you reading to the very satisfying end. I highly recommend this book.
July 9, 2021
This was an enjoyable, soft, slice of life type of story. The romance was a very slow burn and the focus on the story really felt like more of a growth of the heroine as an individual with the strong influence of found family and religious elements. Cindy Ervin Huff's writing is accessible, moderately paced and have a very comforting tone. Cindy Ervin Huff crafts her story with care and understanding around the Heroine's trauma over the domestic abuse she experienced in her marriage and the Hero's ptsd around his experience in the war.
I was draw into this story and was intrigue watching the heroine-Dee learn to come back into herself, I liked watching her learn to trust others again, I like watching her learn to trust herself again and I liked watching her dream again. The hero-Jed, was very compassionate, kind and was always willing to provide anyone with a listening ear and a kind heart. Watching both Dee and Jed slowly blossom in each others presence was really lovely. I found their love story to be sweet and built upon a strong foundation of trust and friendship.
I would definitely recommend this story if you enjoy a slow burn romance, that is woven together with Christian faith, and a charming strong family presences at its heart. This story was compelling and a really lovely look into everyday life of these people and how they work hard on their ranch to provide for their family, how they have open hearts and helping hands to engage with their neighbors when in need and how they find strength in faith. This was very reminiscent to me of the Christian romances I would read by Janette Oak in my youth.
I was draw into this story and was intrigue watching the heroine-Dee learn to come back into herself, I liked watching her learn to trust others again, I like watching her learn to trust herself again and I liked watching her dream again. The hero-Jed, was very compassionate, kind and was always willing to provide anyone with a listening ear and a kind heart. Watching both Dee and Jed slowly blossom in each others presence was really lovely. I found their love story to be sweet and built upon a strong foundation of trust and friendship.
I would definitely recommend this story if you enjoy a slow burn romance, that is woven together with Christian faith, and a charming strong family presences at its heart. This story was compelling and a really lovely look into everyday life of these people and how they work hard on their ranch to provide for their family, how they have open hearts and helping hands to engage with their neighbors when in need and how they find strength in faith. This was very reminiscent to me of the Christian romances I would read by Janette Oak in my youth.
January 13, 2023
I finished Rescuing Her Heart a week ago, and the characters and story are still with me. The protagonists are complex, interesting people who I invested in immediately. Delilah had a hard life to start with and then ends up married to an abuser. Needless to say, trust doesn’t come easy even after she’s no longer in that situation. Jed has his own issues, suffering from PTSD from his service in the Civil War. Both Delilah and Jed are doing the best they can to get through each day. Healing takes time, and is never a straightforward process, and the author does an exemplary job of showing this. There are twists and turns I didn’t see coming that add depth to the plot. Domestic abuse and mental health issues are difficult topics, and they are handled realistically but with sensitivity. This is not your run of the mill mail-order bride story, and I will read this book again. And again.
July 29, 2021
The author has penned a sweet and heartwarming story yet one rife with human frailties. This is Jed Holt and Delilah James' story and the character development of each is outstanding. Jed and Delilah are both broken and carry nightmares of their previous lives. Will their faith, grace and love be enough to save each of them and help them to overcome their pasts and to slowly fall in love and find a HEA. Be sure to read this wonderful story; it is a real page turner and I know you will enjoy it as much as I did.
June 4, 2023
A very well written story.
Setting 1800’s
A Mail order bride finds she has made a mistake.
Looking for a better life Delilah accepts the proposal from a rancher in Kansas. But he is not like the letters he had written to Delilah. He is a drunk and very abusive. After his horrific death, Delilah must make a decision to accept help from a neighbor family.
This is a great story of love and forgiveness. Before starting book, make sure you have the time to read all at once. It was hard to put down after starting.
Setting 1800’s
A Mail order bride finds she has made a mistake.
Looking for a better life Delilah accepts the proposal from a rancher in Kansas. But he is not like the letters he had written to Delilah. He is a drunk and very abusive. After his horrific death, Delilah must make a decision to accept help from a neighbor family.
This is a great story of love and forgiveness. Before starting book, make sure you have the time to read all at once. It was hard to put down after starting.
September 29, 2021
Forgiveness
I recommend this book. It a message of forgiveness and overcoming the world cruelty. Dee fights her feelings for Jed the entire way, feels she’s ruined and believes the lies she’s been told. Jed in his patience just continues to love her even as he tries to protect his own heart. There is obviously a prequel in Genny & Lonnie’s story which I would have liked to read prior.
I recommend this book. It a message of forgiveness and overcoming the world cruelty. Dee fights her feelings for Jed the entire way, feels she’s ruined and believes the lies she’s been told. Jed in his patience just continues to love her even as he tries to protect his own heart. There is obviously a prequel in Genny & Lonnie’s story which I would have liked to read prior.
July 6, 2021
Rescuing Her Heart is Jed and Delilah’s tender love story of coping with and recovery from painful past events in their past. The story also presents the healing power of faith, love, and support of family and friends.
As someone familiar with and written about PTSD, I can attest Ms. Huff’ has a clear understanding of a condition that beleaguers so many.
As someone familiar with and written about PTSD, I can attest Ms. Huff’ has a clear understanding of a condition that beleaguers so many.
June 21, 2023
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ok make sure you have enough time to read this one in one setting because you'll definitely wanna finish it and not wait! I loved this book! It definitely handled trauma and abuse well, and the effects of it. I loved the storyline and how she was independent and did her best on her own after she was freed. Great job with this one Cindy! Keep it up!
Ok make sure you have enough time to read this one in one setting because you'll definitely wanna finish it and not wait! I loved this book! It definitely handled trauma and abuse well, and the effects of it. I loved the storyline and how she was independent and did her best on her own after she was freed. Great job with this one Cindy! Keep it up!
July 4, 2025
Dee and her fears
Very well written story. But, I had such a hard time liking Dee.
Poor Jed loved her so much. He had finally softened her up to take walks with him, and then all of a sudden, she pushed him away, breaking his heart each time.
I definitely would not call this a romance, as there’s only a snippet at the very end.
Very well written story. But, I had such a hard time liking Dee.
Poor Jed loved her so much. He had finally softened her up to take walks with him, and then all of a sudden, she pushed him away, breaking his heart each time.
I definitely would not call this a romance, as there’s only a snippet at the very end.
December 17, 2022
I listened to this on Audible! It gripped me right from the start and I couldn't put it down! I listened while folding laundry and washing dishes and I stayed up late at night listening because I always wondered, "What's going to happen next?!?" I'm definitely going to read MORE by this author!
January 1, 2023
Not worth the time
Pretty immature writing. Clearly someone who has studied abuse but not experienced or known anyone that was abused. I gave 2 stars since I did skim to see how it ended, but the ending was really abrupt. Will not read another from this author
Pretty immature writing. Clearly someone who has studied abuse but not experienced or known anyone that was abused. I gave 2 stars since I did skim to see how it ended, but the ending was really abrupt. Will not read another from this author
February 15, 2023
Rescuing her Heart
An exciting story full of action. The characters are amazing and as you read your imagine takes full range with the action taking place. Contains everything. Love, family interaction and relationships and excitement.
An exciting story full of action. The characters are amazing and as you read your imagine takes full range with the action taking place. Contains everything. Love, family interaction and relationships and excitement.
April 7, 2023
Mail order bride disaster
Delilah’s nightmare is finally over or has it just begun? The Holt family provide refuge and support for each other and Delilah but can she ever make up for the mess she’s made?
A very hard book to put down.
Delilah’s nightmare is finally over or has it just begun? The Holt family provide refuge and support for each other and Delilah but can she ever make up for the mess she’s made?
A very hard book to put down.
May 3, 2023
It was better than I expected
when I first started reading this I almost put it down. So glad I didn't it was a great story of learning to forgive and forgetting things you've dealt with in the past. A great love story.
when I first started reading this I almost put it down. So glad I didn't it was a great story of learning to forgive and forgetting things you've dealt with in the past. A great love story.
May 29, 2022
Not a bad story line but it lost a whole star for the stupid plot twist about 75 percent into the book. The author had the main female character Dee do some really idiotic things.
June 3, 2022
Characters are likeable and story keeps the reader engaged.
December 16, 2022
A painful but inspirational story.
If you are looking for an inspirational story of hope and healing it will not disappoint. I enjoyed reading it and will also.
If you are looking for an inspirational story of hope and healing it will not disappoint. I enjoyed reading it and will also.
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May 29, 2023Hurt and healing
An amazing read that will take you back to pioneer times. A journey of healing and hope. (Trigger warning: abuse)
An amazing read that will take you back to pioneer times. A journey of healing and hope. (Trigger warning: abuse)
March 3, 2023
I enjoyed reading Rescuing Her Heart. Delilah came west as a mail order bride and received only abuse for the man she married. Jed Holt, an ordained minister and rancher, is a strong, tender hero with a big heart. I really like the Holt family as they accept Delilah as a family member after her husband dies in a fire. Delilah finds it hard to trust, suffering PTSD from spousal abuse, and she's determined never to marry again. Jed has promised his brother to run the ranch with him, even though the elderly pastor of their church has asked him to take his place. He wants to marry Delilah, but she refuses him. The ending, however, after many twists and turns, is satisfying.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews