Today I am reviewing Heart of Courage by Penny Zeller releasing 11 March 2025
Book Description:
A new life awaits her…if she can find the courage.
In the spring of 1885, LilyBeth Engel makes the courageous decision to run from everything she’s known. She boards a train and goes as far as her meager funds will take her with her young son in tow. With nothing but the clothes on her back, the baby in her arms, her Bible, and a skill for sewing beautiful dresses, LilyBeth determines to succeed with the Lord’s help and dogged determination.
Barrett MacCallum owns one of the largest ranches in Hilltop in the Montana Territory. He also owns several of the businesses on the main street. When a woman asks to rent one of his businesses for her new dress shop, he’s amenable, even if it means charging the woman less rent because she’s obviously destitute.
When Barrett begins to fall in love with LilyBeth, will she have the courage to allow herself to love again with so much at stake?
Please note: Heart of Courage is a faith-filled Christian historical romance.
My Review
Thanks to the author for my review copy.
This is part of the Hearts of the West series where each book is a standalone book. It fits well in the series and so far I have loved every book I have read.
This story starts with widow LilyBeth leaving all she has known to go as far as her funds will let her. Her young son Otis is such a sweetie. She wants a new life for them and hopes she will be able to make it in a new place. Barrett is a rancher in Hilltop Montana Territory and happens to own many of the local businesses.
LilyBeth rents one of these buildings to start a dressmaking business. We learn what her life was like before and why she is now in Hilltop. She has had a hard life which she has turned around. Barrett himself has also suffered loss. This story is easy to read and flows well. I have to say Otis is the real star of this book. His antics are so fun. I also love some of the quirky characters in the book who have a heart of Gold. There are a couple of mean girls, and I may have wished they would fall face first into a pile of cow dung on a couple of occasions. The author is much kinder than me.
This book fits the series well. Each book features a character this one being courage which is what LilyBeth has and needs. I have a couple more of these books and am looking forward to reading them also.
If you enjoy shorter faith filled books set in the west, I am sure you will enjoy this book.
