Deep in my Heart

Discerning God's Best #0.5

by Heidi Gray McGill

Deep in his heart, Melvin Trexler knows slavery is wrong. As the abolitionist son of a pro-slavery plantation owner, the only way Melvin can live according to his convictions is to leave his family and inheritance behind. Instead of helping run the family plantation, Melvin moves his family to a new future in the Midwest.

Mary Trexler isn’t as eager to leave her precious treasures behind. While unhappy at the idea of never again seeing her ill mother, her best friend, and the grave of her infant daughter, she cannot ignore her vow to her husband. Deep in her heart, Mary knows God will always be with them and that a fresh start will benefit their family.

The Trexlers must change their plans shortly after beginning their trip west but are determined to view the unexpected detour as a blessing in disguise.
The biggest adventures can be found among the detours of the journey.

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Genres: Fiction, Novella, Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction

50 pages, ebook

About the author

Selah Award finalist Heidi Gray McGill writes award-winning Christian fiction that draws readers into stories of hope, grace, and redemption. Her Discerning God’s Best series brings the American frontier to life with historical richness and biblical truth, while her contemporary novels explore modern struggles with the same heartfelt honesty. Blindness has not limited Heidi’s vision but refined her focus, shaping the way she writes about resilience and faith. She lives near Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband of more than thirty years and treasures her role as Grammie to three energetic grandsons. Connect with Heidi and receive a free prequel at HeidiGrayMcGill.com.

Reviews

[Paula Shreckhise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartfelt prequel to Desire of my Heart. This novella tells why Melvin left his father’s plantation to seek a home of his own in Missouri.
God has plans for Melvin as they take a detour when his wife, Mary, takes ill, to a plantation where Mary can recover and Melvin learns some spiritual lessons. Melvin hates slavery but learns to work alongside slaves and learns valuable skills to use when he reaches his final destination. Above all, he learns to befriend all people and show mercy and to use his hatred of slavery for good.
Great set up to the debut novel by Ms. McGill.
* I received a a complimentary copy of this ebook from the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is my first introduction to this author! It's a prequel novella to the Shumard Oak Bend series and is a FREE gift for joining the author's newsletter.

I enjoyed it so much that I immediately read book 1.

The repeated message to choose joy was one I needed to hear, and I incorporated it into my daily choices yesterday.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good prequel short story. I liked how Mary always said, "Choose joy." I'll try to remember that when it's needed. I recommend this quick read.

[BlueJeansAndTeacups · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just ok. Not a complete story, but meant to wet the appetite, and entice one to get the series. I found it to be rather disjointed.
This was a free download for joining the newsletter.
All opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation.
⭐Rating
1 star = bad!
2 stars = did not like (meh)
3 stars = good
4 stars = very good
5 stars =excellent!

𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 55 𝓖𝓸𝓸𝓭𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓼 𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮 📚 2023

[Medenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great peek back into the beginning of this series. I have already read books 1 through 4 and I am glad I read this prequel to better understand Melvin and Mary’s story.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic introduction to the series! I really enjoyed this short book and was glad to get to know Melvin and Mary and Thomas.

[Gwen Hight · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good story about a young man that was against slavery taking his family away giving up his birthright and doing God's work while his wife recuperates and he grew closer to God because a black preacher taught him A wonderful read

[Jennifer Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. It is super short, but super sweet. If you have loved her Shumard Oak Bend series, you HAVE TO read the prequel to understand where the family comes from.

[Heidi McGill]

This is the prequel to the Discerning God's Best series and is only available through the author. https://heidigraymcgill.com/free_book/

[Joleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

1857
Characters:
Melvin and Mary Trexler with their son Thomas

Sweet little novella about a family from the south who needed to get away from their families' slave owning ways.

[SK · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helped explain and flesh out some details, which were just assumed in Desire of My Heart. This novella fleshed out the underpinnings of the Trexler family. It showed Mary’s and Marvin’s strong faith. For the time, what this family committed to do was remarkable. That a first son from immense wealth would walk away from his birth right in South Carolina to move to an undeveloped area in Missouri, showed how extraordinary this family was. Mary was willing to give up home, land, and wealth because of Genesis 1:27, believing “God created man in his own image.”

When in Chapter five Mary seemed to be seriously physically stressed, Memphis, Tennessee becomes more than just a train refreshment stop. A Dr. Mackey diagnosed Mary with Train Sickness, and then he recommends a lengthy stay in the country. Melvin is concerned about their funds and getting to Missouri, but Mary steadfastly trusts God’s plan. In the end, their stay at a plantation is just what they need. Having read Desire of My Heart, God planned the Trexler family to have a semester at Plantation University learning homesteading skills. Mary was a blessing to read about and her philosophy from Philippians four of “Choosing Joy” no matter her situation was uplifting. This book was a Great Little Treat.

[Victoria (hotcocoaandbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was nice to get a small glimpse into the life of Melvin and really, his first wife Mary, who was only in the beginning of the first book. It was a good novella to show how Melvin's faith deepened through his relationship with his wife. It was nice to hear about a couple abolitionists from the south, and how rare those really were and how they'd be looked upon by neighbors and family members. Mary definitely had great faith despite her illnesses and losses. They had a sweet relationship. You can understand why it was so hard for Melvin to go through what he had in the beginning of Desire of My Heart.

[Carol Ackerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a short story about a young couple who are against owning slaves deep in the heart of slave country. They move away to begin a new life where farmers worked their fields themselves without owning slaves.
The wife becomes deathly ill after riding on a train so their plans take a sudden detour. How they reacted to this change was heartwarming. Instead of feeling sorry for themselves, they considered their new plans as a "grand adventure".
I was disappointed when the story ended and I don't have access to the rest of the series.

[Sherry Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was had tender moments, heartfelt moments and so much more! I loved the characters Melvin and Mary. I loved that it felt like a historical story being told.
Looking forward to reading more in this series!

[Heidi Morrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic beginning to the Historical Christian fiction series! I'm looking forward to reading more by this author who shares my name! 😀 I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book, but it did not in any way affect my review. All opinions are my own.

[Melba · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this introduction to a series, and I hope to read the rest. This one was a free e-book, and I read it quickly. This is my usual fare, or things along this line. I enjoy reading most books, and if those are clean, romance or those of faith, they make it even better to read.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a prequel to the Discerning God's Best series by Heidi Gray McGill. What a great setup, forcing one to continue reading to find out what happens next.

[Marbeth Skwarczynski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep in My Heart is a novella prequel to the Shumard Oak Bend series by Heidi Gray McGill. In this small volume, we get some insight into the lives of Melvin and Mary Trexler and their decision to leave the comfort of family and home in South Carolina to travel west.

Melvin Trexler is the abolitionist son of a pro-slavery plantation owner. Melvin knows that the only way he can live according to his convictions is to leave his family and inheritance behind.
While Mary hates the idea of leaving her ill mother, her best friend, and the grave of her infant daughter, she wants to support her husband and believes that a fresh start will be beneficial to their family.

Although the trip west begins on a high note, it isn’t long before the Trexler’s plans are put on hold. Still, Melvin and Mary are determined to view the unexpected detour as a blessing in disguise.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by Heidi Gray McGill but it won’t be my last. I love the way she incorporates the Bible into the story. The novella was short and sweet. I’m looking forward to reading the first full book of the series.