The Desires of Her Heart (Texas: Star of Destiny, Book 1) [Paperback]

Lyn Cote (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 10, 2009

A New Orleans lady and a half-breed frontiersman become unlikely allies as they travel the wilds of texas.

In 1821, when circumstances make it impossible for her to remain in New Orleans, Dorritt and her family head west to join Stephen Austin's settlement and recoup their fortune in Texas.

Quinn is a man of the frontier who has made a name for himself as a peerless scout. But as he and Dorritt's party begin a grueling trek across untamed Texas, the success of their journey is in grave doubt. Mexico has broken with the Spanish Crown, and armies from both countries—plus marauding Comanches—roam the pine forests and prairies. And one of the party is plotting destruction.

Now, with their lives joined in a virgin land fraught with peril, can Dorritt and Quinn put all their trust in God and receive the desires of their hearts?

Editorial Reviews

Review

“With fast action and powerful emotions, Lyn Cote tells a story you’ll remember long after the last page.” (Lorena McCourtney, author of Your Chariot Awaits )

“A pitch-perfect historical Western.” (Sandra Byrd, Christy Award-winning author of Let Them Eat Cake )

“Will captivate historical romance readers.” (Library Journal )

“A tale of emancipating love—the kind that comes only by surrendering to the will of a higher Master. History, inspiration, and imagination at its best!” (Kathy Herman, author of the Baxter, Seaport, and Phantom Hollow Series )

“A galloping adventure of romance, historical drama, and intrigue.” (Louise M. Gouge, author of Then Came Love )

From the Back Cover

Description In 1821, Dorritt Mott is a woman ahead of her time. When events make it impossible for her family, including an overbearing stepfather and a spoiled half-sister, to remain in New Orleans, they head to Texas to join Stephen Austin's settlement and recoup their fortune in virgin Texas. Quinn, half-breed son of a Cherokee mother and an American father, has made a name for himself as a scout and a man not to be taken lightly. When the New Orleans lady and the half-breed frontiersman meet, they become unlikely allies as they travel the wilds of Texas. But will their trek be in vain? Mexico has broken with the Spanish Crown that had granted Austin land. And both armies plus marauding Comanches roam the pine forest and prairie of Texas. And though they are unaware of it, there is a closer danger, a man who is plotting destruction and who will try to make Dorritt and Quinn pawns in his scheme. Can Dorritt help Quinn put all their trust in the God who has promised that those that delight in Him shall be given the desires of their hearts? Will Dorritt believe that promise? --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 306 pages
• Publisher: Avon Inspire; Original edition (February 10, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061373419
• ISBN-13: 978-0061373411
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #866,052 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

In 1997, Lyn Cote's first book, Never Alone, was chosen for the "new" Love Inspired romance line. Since then, Lyn has had over thirty-five novels published. In 2006 Lyn's book, Chloe, was a finalist for the RITA, and her book Her Patchword Family was a finalist for the Carol Award in 2010, two of the highest awards in the romance genre. Lyn's brand "Strong Women, Brave Stories," always includes three elements: a strong heroine who is a passionate participant in her times, authentic historical detail and a multicultural cast of characters. Lyn also features stories of strong women both from real life and true to life fiction on her blog http://BooksbyLynCote.com Lyn also can be found on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads. Drop by and "friend or follow" her. Now living her dream of writing books at her lake cottage in northern Wisconsin, Lyn hopes her books show the power of divine as well as human love.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 4.5 Stars: Freedom and honor: Seeing with the eyes of God, March 17, 2009

By 

D. Merrimon Crawford (Colorado) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Desires of Her Heart (Texas: Star of Destiny, Book 1) (Paperback)

Dorritt Mott is a young woman who knows her mind. She values her independence and has no desire to marry. Dorritt is a sensible, practical woman who doesn't go in for the romantically exaggerated conversations of all the trappings of polite aristocratic Louisiana society. The plans of her step-father, Mr. Kilbride, run counter to her values and the plans she wants for herself. With the Panic of 1819 in the country's background and her step-father's own financial position threatened as well, the family heads west to Texas to join Stephen F. Austin's settlement. Secretly, Dorritt and her maid Reva hope that Texas will bring them freedom and men of honor. The journey brings her face to face with Quinn, a half-breed scout, a man whose integrity and honor inspires Dorritt. As they travel westward, the dangers mount. If the perils of terrain and climate were not enough to threaten their success, the historical background of the 1821 Mexican revolution in Spain is moving forward to the Texas Revolution of 1836. Whatever security Dorritt has before the journey is now overturned. She faces never-before encountered challenges. Racial prejudice and attitudes limiting women threaten both Reva and Dorritt. Can the two of them maintain their faith? Amidst all the difficult cirmcumstances they face, can they find the desires of their heart?

In THE DESIRES OF HER HEART, the first of the Texas Star of Destiny series, Lyn Cote sets her characters in a period of American history which has an uncanny relevance to today's issues in terms of the challenges faced by individuals even though the exact circumstances are different. Unsure of her own economic welfare and often unable to change the direction of her step-father's ways, Dorritt focuses on the things she can change and maintains her faith in God. Dorritt has steadfastness and compassion for others despite the troubled times surrounding her. Quinn has a mysterious appealing side that attracts her. He listens to her and values her. But can he have enough faith in himself and in God to reach for his deepest desire?

THE DESIRES OF HER HEART sets the historical stage for the series. Lyn Cote details the complexity of different policies on slavery in Louisiana and Texas as well as the difficult alliances between Spain, Mexico, and the anglo-americans. She details both the possibilities of freedom and the racial and gender prejudices that influence human relationships. The story is fast-paced and full of action. In the first part of the romance, Quinn might seem less developed and yet, the focus on Dorritt feels appropriate as it marks her as different than many of the other characters who rely mostly on others to define their self-worth. As the narrative progresses, the focus switches to Quinn with several moving twists that define his character.

The beauty of THE DESIRES OF HER HEART comes from the manner in which Lyn Cote brings faith to this inspirational romance. First, the heroine Dorritt is a brave character with a sense of herself. Even though her family situation is not all hunky-dory and she often finds herself surrounded by some rather unsavory characters, she has a strength from within. She is a woman who reads, is comfortable in the quiet of aloneness, relying on her faith rather than the latest fashion. Lyn Cote presents an image of faith that is prayerful rather than preachy. Dorritt's prayers are quiet and persona, showing her close relationship with God. Even when she talks to Quinn about her faith, her words are born from within and one senses a deep sharing between them rather than the kind of somewhat forced conversion often seen in inspirational romance. As a Christian woman, Dorritt is a refreshing character. She has a lot of spunk and isn't just wishy-washy nice or clothed in an unrealistic sense of perfection. She calls things like she sees them and yet she is full of compassion too --- and she is able to revise her opinion when more information becomes available. Lyn Cote doesn't gloss over the difficulties of family relationships. Lyn Cote's use of natural imagery, like the egret, reinforces the prayerful inspirational element of this romance. Instead of preaching down to readers, Lyn Cote inspires the imagination with images to see and meditate on the presence of God. Throughout the romance Dorritt listens to God, to herself and to others. For its prayerful tone, Lyn Cote's romance THE DESIRES OF HER HEART is likely to appeal to a wider segment of the inspirational romance circle than the traditional target audience.

COURTESY OF BOOK ILLUMINATIONS

5.0 out of 5 stars The Desires of Her Heart, June 15, 2009

By 

David D. Suit (Stillwater, Ok USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Desires of Her Heart (Texas: Star of Destiny, Book 1) (Paperback)

The book was really enjoyed because of the historical fiction and the western romance and how the people overcame obstacles that seem to always arise and the love that blossoms out of the turmoils.

4.0 out of 5 stars interesting "Era of Good Feelings" Americana romance, February 14, 2009

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Desires of Her Heart (Texas: Star of Destiny, Book 1) (Paperback)

In 1821 twenty-five years old spinster Dorritt Mott fears her stepfather Mr. Kilbride is up to his usual no good, but this time her clenched gut expects the worst. She proves right when she learns he gambled away her family's Belle Vista Plantation that he has lived off of while she ran it. Knowing he must flee from New Orleans, he informs his extended family they will leave for the Texas Territory where they can claim land and start over. Dorritt would like to go her own way, but knows her pampered mom and her spoiled sister Jewell whose fiancé dumped her need her.

Dorritt knows Mr. Kilbride is an amoral moron who will vanish at the first inkling of trouble; from what she knows of the trek from Louisiana to Texas it is very dangerous. She prefers to depend on wagon train half-breed scout Quinn and God than Kilbride. However, as her attraction for the half Cherokee grows, she learns once again a man cannot be trusted as he has business yes with Kilbride.

The opening Texas Star of Destiny tale is an interesting "Era of Good Feelings" Americana romance. Although Mr. Kilbride, his wife and Jewell are too stereotyped, Dorritt and Quinn are fully developed intriguing lead characters. Fans will relish this fine tale of a feisty female defying the expected role of a Louisiana aristocrat in life and in love.

Harriet Klausner