Restless Heart

by T. William Phillips

HIS RESTLESS HEART BEAT TO A RHYTHM OF ITS OWN- a rhythm that had once been so prevalent in the core of his soul, but had long been lost under the thick layers of routine, expectation, and responsibility created by a quiet, civilized life. Konrad Quintero de Leon, a young American man, having just returned home to New York after his schooling at Oxford University, decides to venture west to rediscover that lost rhythm and peel off the layers that have muffled it for so long.

Set in the 1840s, some of America's most restless years, Konrad begins an endless journey in search of his own "manifest destiny." He embarks on a westward expedition with the famous explorer John C. Fremont and legendary mountain man Kit Carson. He roams the wild Texas frontier with the Texas Rangers and fights in the bloody Battle of Monterrey under the command of General Zachary Taylor. But the life of a restless wanderer is not an easy one, as Konrad discovers when he falls in love with the beautiful and exciting Anastasia Carriere-the fiancee of another man. He is cast into a desperate battle where he must choose between the woman he loves and the adventure that he craves.

Genres: Westerns

520 pages, Paperback

First published June 7, 2010

Reviews

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have a restless heart or a vagabond spirit, you will enjoy this book. You will understand why the main character, Konrad Quintero de Leon seeks new places, and new adventures. It takes place in the 1840's and includes some famous people i.e. Kit Carson, Zachary Taylor;
but these famous people, although interesting, are not essential to the story.
I thought the first few chapters about his time in Europe could be reduced to perhaps one chapter but after that I was hooked and enjoyed each adventure Konrad experienced. The books pace begins
rather slowly and then seems to gallop. It was one of those books
I liked so much I didn't want to finish it. I didn't want it to be over.
I think men who enjoy history or westerns might really enjoy this book, but if you like to go new places and try new things, it is for you too. I think the theme of knowing who you are and following your heart (or soul) is universal. I would definitely read another book by this author if he continues writing.

[Meagan Hawthorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book awhile ago and I need to reread. It’s incredibly romantic and just as equally adventurous. I didn’t think those two genres could collide. Boy was I wrong!