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Dianne Chadwick’s
father owns and operates a mercantile in the small river port town of
New Madrid,
Missouri.
The Civil War is breaking out, and life is anything but peaceful in a
town where Union soldiers walk the streets filled with Southern
sympathizers.
When Dianne’s father
is caught in cross-fire and killed, she feels there is no recourse but
to talk her mother into moving the family west via wagon trail to the
Montana
territory. Her uncle lives out there, and surely he would take them in
until they can get back on their feet again. Her mother is easily
convinced as she’s just discovered she is expecting her sixth child, and
doesn’t want her teenage sons going off to war. The boys are already
being pressured to choose sides.
Before they can
leave, Dianne’s oldest brother, Trent, runs away from home, wanting to
avenge his father’s death. Dianne and her mother work tirelessly packing
up their belongings and getting ready to travel west, dreaming of a
bright future.
But wagon trails are
not known to be easy. Thousands die from diseases or Indian attacks. Is
there any guarantee that they will make it to the Montana territory?
What will happen to them in-route? Is there anyone Dianne can trust to
help her care for her ailing mother and younger siblings? Why is she
continuing to be attracted to the quiet and moody wagon train leader?
Dianne is a very
capable young woman. I was impressed with her knowledge to figure things
out and think on her feet. She will quickly have readers rooting for her
when life tosses one disaster after another in her path. I cared what
happened to her and her family, and hoped they would reach their
destination unharmed.
LAND
OF MY HEART
is the first book in an exciting new series called Heirs of Montana. It
is sure to grab the reader’s interest and keep it all the way through. I
recommend reading this book with a box of Kleenex handy.
Reviewed by Laura V.
Hilton for The Road to Romance
January 23, 2004 |
