Book Description: When Bethany Silverton left the genteel life of Miss Henderson’s School for Young Ladies back in Philadelphia for the raw frontier town of Sweetwater, Montana, she had no idea how much she would enjoy the freedom and danger of this wild country. A conservative preacher’s daughter, Bethany can’t resist the challenge of charming the most attractive cowboy in town into attending her father’s new church. She never dreamed that the cowboy would charm the lady. But Hawk Chandler isn’t the only man vying for Bethany’s affections. Ruthlessly ambitious Vince Richards thinks Bethany is perfect for him: attractive, gracious, just the woman to help him become governor. And he is determined to get what he wants at any cost. Drawn to one man, an obsession of another, Bethany’s quiet life is thrown into turmoil. She wagered her heart on love. Now she has gotten more than she bargained for—and the stakes are about to become life and death.My Review: Robin Lee Hatcher has been a favorite author of mine for awhile. I've read Loving Libby, Dear Lady, Fit To Be Tied, A Vote of Confidence and one of my all time favorite reads---Catching Katie. So, I was eager to read Wagered Heart a book I somehow missed.
Sometimes a book just "grabs you." That was the case with Wagered Heart. From the first page I was enthralled with Bethany and her lady like ways BUT she is so unconventional. She is unafraid and grabs life by the bull horns knowing that her Father will take care of her. Sometimes causing her earthly father to cringe in fear for his lovely daughter's safety.
Bethany "wagers" with her best friend, Ingrid, that she will (not can) but will capture the cowboy , Hawk Chandler's attention, and rope him in to going to church. Ingrid, ever the conventional-let's-do-everything-by-the -book kind of person, doesn't think Bethany should wager being a preacher's daughter. But Bethany's heart has been "taken" by one look from the handsome cowboy, Hawk. She talks her best friend, Ingrid, into being her accomplice in seeking out Hawk.
Hawk is tough but a sweet heart beats under that tough exterior. Hawk has some issues of his own and tries to stay out of Bethany's sight. Not an easy feat!
I liked the unconventional way Bethany "gets" people to attend God's House (church). As the story unfolds . . .Bethany and Hawk face some challenges in their relationship with Vince, the arch enemy, who lies and deceives every way he can to obtain Bethany as his bride!
Then there's Ingrid and Rand. Another romance brewing alongside Bethany and Hawk's. Many loops and twists in this beautifully written story!
I enjoyed reading this 5 star grandtastic read. If you enjoy western frontier stories that incorporate faith and romance then this is a must read for you!
*I reviewed this book for Zondervan*
Sounds like a good book, and a new author to me. I'll have to check it out!
ReplyDeleteGreat review!