A Heart Divided, A Novel (Heart of the Rockies) [Kindle Edition]

Kathleen Morgan (Author)

Book Description

It is 1878 and the Caldwells and Wainwrights have been feuding for decades. Still, Sarah Caldwell has misgivings when her father pressures her into distracting a ranch hand while he and her brothers rob the Wainwright place. When it becomes clear that hand is actually Cord Wainwright, Sarah realizes she needs to lay low. But Cord spots her in town and, with the sheriff away, makes a citizen's arrest, dragging her off to the Wainwright ranch until the sheriff's return. As the feud boils over, Cord and Sarah make a most inconvenient discovery--they are falling in love. Can they betray their families for love? Or will their families betray them?

Against the beautiful and wild backdrop of the Rocky Mountains comes this sweeping saga of romance, betrayal, and forgiveness from beloved author Kathleen Morgan.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

When fate brings them together, they must choose between family ties and love.

The Caldwells and Wainwrights have been feuding for decades. Still, Sarah Caldwell has misgivings when her father pressures her into distracting a ranch hand while he and her brothers rob the Wainwright place. When it becomes clear that hand is actually Cord Wainwright, heir of the Wainwright holdings, Sarah realizes things have gone too far.

As the feud boils over, Cord and Sarah make a most inconvenient discovery--they just might be falling in love. Can they betray their families to see where this attraction leads? Or will their families betray them?

Against the beautiful and wild backdrop of the Rocky Mountains in 1878 comes this sweeping saga of romance, betrayal, and forgiveness from beloved author Kathleen Morgan.

"Exceptional! Kathleen Morgan turns the classic feuding families plot into an unforgettable story of love and forgiveness. Her lyrical prose paints a vivid picture of life in the Rockies. A powerful story of love and the true meaning of family. A Heart Divided is a book to be savored again and again."--Amanda Cabot, author, Tomorrow's Garden

"Be still my heart--Kathleen Morgan is back, and she's better than ever! With deft writing, engaging characters, and a family feud that takes the Hatfields and McCoys to a whole new level, A Heart Divided is a powerful love story that will quicken your pulse and speak to your soul."--Julie Lessman, author, the Daughters of Boston series and A Hope Undaunted

"A well-crafted story of two hearts divided by vengeful fathers and feuding families that threaten to destroy true love. A Heart Divided is a thoroughly enjoyable romance set in the magnificent Colorado Rockies!"--Maggie Brendan, author, Heart of the West series

Kathleen Morgan is the award-winning author of many novels, including those in the bestselling Brides of Culdee Creek series. She lives in Colorado.

About the Author

Kathleen Morgan is the award-winning author of many novels, including those in the bestselling Brides of Culdee Creek series. She lives in Colorado.

Product Details

• File Size: 726 KB
• Print Length: 337 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0800718844
• Publisher: Revell (May 1, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004PLMIUK
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #43,381 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #51 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Westerns > Christian

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Wasn't My Type of Romance... May 18, 2011

By Katie McCurdy

Format:Paperback

Once I reached the end of this fun, adventurous, and very romantic book, I wasn't sure what my thoughts were toward it. The story plot was great. Kathleen Morgan's writing style was very engaging. But the romance...just was not my type, I guess. It was very...physical. I felt that the characters never came to love each other, but was just attracted to the other person's physical looks. From other reviews I see that the majority loved this book, but as for me, I wasn't crazy about it.

While I wasn't all out crazy about this book, I did like some of the characters in here. Nick was a lot of fun. And a very wise brother that I wish Cord had listened to more, lol. His attitude toward life and his desire to see his brother happy was very commendable. Knowing how much he sacrificed for Cord was amazing. Another character I liked was the heroine, Sarah. She was the character I could sympathize with during this story. I felt bad for her. What a jam to be in--loving a man and his family who your own flesh and blood is determined to hate. Cord's attitude and behavior toward Sarah for this was really annoying. A few times I thought he needed a good slap. I mean, I understand that he is upset because of what her family is doing to his...but I felt like he needed to put himself in her shoes and try to understand a little. Speaking of Cord, I didn't really care for him. I'm pretty sure that for more than half the book, Cord was scowling, lol. I just couldn't really connect or sympathize with this hero. Sad, as I usually like the quiet, troubled heroes.

As I mentioned, the plot and writing was great. The scenes were vivid and the characters pretty fleshed out. I commend Kathleen on her writing and the abilities to bring her story to life.... The adventure was pretty neat--especially the mystery surrounding the missing cattle. The love story, as I mentioned, was the biggest disappointment for me. I never saw them falling in love with the other person for who that person was, but more for what that person looked like. Many times Cord looks at her wish desire, and she longs for his kisses, and...well, their love just didn't seem real. When they married they still had a lot unsettled between them and their attraction to each other seemed only skin deep. When I finally reached the end and shut the book, I couldn't imagine--if they were real people--that their marriage would last very long.

I always hate when I come to a book I just don't like, but it happens. Worst is when I'm pretty sure I am in the minority with my views for disliking a book. To be fair to this author and other fans of hers, I have a feeling that many historical romance readers who like a lot of romance in the books will really enjoy this book. It just wasn't my cup of tea. (And just as a footnote; I loved, loved, LOVED, the girl on the cover. Her hair is gorgeous!!!)

I reviewed this book for Revell. It was not required that I give a positive review, but solely to express my own thoughts and opinions of this book, which I have done. Read more ›

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Tender Story of Forgiveness! May 20, 2011

By ReviewsByMolly

Format:Paperback

I loved this book. It is such a tender and moving book, written by such a talented lady! The time period instantly pulled me into the story, and I imagined myself in the dress and ankle high boots. I could hear the carriage wheels a turnin' and the horses hooves a cloppin. I love that!

The characters in this book are wonderful. Oh, I didn't like Edmund and Jacob, no. They were feuding and really, it reminded me a lot of the Cartwright's on the show, Bonanza....always feuding with someone! I love that show by the way. I could feel the book come to life in front of me, just like watching an episode on TV.

My heart truly went out to Sarah and Cord. They were pulled together by God's will, yet had the turmoil on their hearts of the feud between their fathers Edmund and Jacob. It really caused such a strain between the two. I loved watching Cord's brother Nick play a part in helping God's love to shine through. He helped to make some VERY hard headed characters understand their need for God's guidance and love, no matter what may have happened in the past! Though, at first, I didn't like Caleb and Noah, Sarah's older brothers, in the beginning, I grew to love them as much as Cord and Sarah, for they helped the mystery aspect to the story. But one character I truly and utterly despised, was Allis. Oh, I wanted to bop her a good one more than once!

All in all, this was a truly fantastic story of sacrificing, letting go, and forgiveness. Whole hearted forgiveness. Learning right from wrong and seeking redemption brings these wonderful characters and God's love to the center of my heart! I highly recommend this book with a high 5 star praise and I can't wait for book 2 of this fantastic series to release! I'm anxious to see who's story Kathleen writes about in that one....... Well done, Kathleen!

*This review is based on a complimentary copy which was provided for an honest review* Read more ›

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful story of love and forgiveness! May 14, 2011

By M. Vasquez

Format:Paperback

A Heart Divided is a beautiful and engaging western historical about feuds and forgiveness and divided loyalties. When I first started the book I was afraid that it was going to be a cheesy, silly type of western, but it's not. There are some very humorous parts, but it's a very touching story that will really pull you in emotionally.

Forgiveness is hard, but when a person has held on to their bitterness for many years, it can seem nearly impossible. And, unforgiveness and bitterness doesn't just effect us, but also those closest to us. Sarah Caldwell knows about this first hand. Her father has hated the Wainwrights longer than she's been alive. She always believed what he told her about them, but what if it isn't all true? And what if they are good people after all that she has been taught her whole life?

I VERY highly recommend this book! The writing is beautiful, and full of wonderful descriptions that make you feel as if you're there. The story will grab you from the start and the characters will win your heart. It's also a story with a great message that speaks to us even today. Holding onto anger and bitterness is destructive to us, and those closest to us. I can't believe that this is the first Kathleen Morgan novel I have read! I loved her writing and I can't wait to get a hold of more of her books. And I will be anxiously awaiting the next book in this series!

A complimentary copy was provided for an honest review.

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Reads like the kind of romance novel I don't recommend May 11, 2011

By Jennifer Minerva

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this book based on the available reviews that extolled it, but I'm disappointed. This is the only novel I've read by the author, so I may have picked the odd one of the batch, but these are my thoughts.

The faith proclaimed comes across as genuine (I do definitely appreciate that), but the novel reads like a romance novel. The "chemistry" one reviewer mentions is pure sexual attraction. I realize that that's a real thing that people struggle with, and I'm in no way requesting that authors write it as anything other than it is. I do, however, think it would be much more helpful to the women who read the novels if that struggle were written in such a way that didn't inspire lust for cowboys who dump buckets of water over their naked, bronzed chests and sinewy arms. Her characters are all very noble and chaste in their reactions, but the situations are over-written in their sexiness so that even though I want to read more, I really shouldn't. Maybe I'm hyper-sensitive, but I think I'm kinda normal in that regard.

The plot had loads of potential, but I couldn't let my imagination go where the author wanted to take me. Christian authors have a responsibility to their brothers and sisters to help them NOT to sin, and I'm saddened lately that more and more authors seem not to care about that.

Ms. Morgan is a talented writer -- poetic and descriptive, with a great imagination. I would have loved the book if not for unnecessary titillation.

More About the Author

About Kathleen Morgan

Kathleen was born in sunny Long Beach, California, one of four daughters of a career Army officer.

As a former Army nurse with a master's degree in counseling, she has lived in Germany, Korea, Maryland, Texas, Virginia, Louisiana, Florida, Washington, D.C., Alabama, California, and Colorado.

She is married to a retired Army helicopter pilot and is the mother of two sons-one deceased- and stepmother to another son and a daughter, both of whom have been very busy making her a grandmother.

In her free time, Kathleen likes to quilt, play the Celtic harp, and be companion and caretaker to an aging English cocker spaniel. She is also a companion and the wifely caretaker to her husband, who is not quite so aged :)

Kathleen the Author

Kathleen began her career writing contemporary romances and soon moved to historical and futuristic romances. She sold her first book, a futuristic romance, in April 1990 while stationed in Korea as an Army nurse. Additional romances soon followed, until she had sold a total of fifteen books in the general market, establishing a loyal readership along the way.

Since that time, she has received numerous awards for her work, including a Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice award and Career Achievement award, and The Literary Times award for Literary Excellence in the Field of Romantic Fiction. She was also a Romance Writers of America RITA finalist.

Kathleen now focuses her writing talents in the area of inspirational fiction, offering readers characters who struggle to redefine their growing faith in everyday life.

Interviews with Kathleen

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© Kathleen Morgan 2007-2012 - All Rights Reserved.

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#44 in Kindle eBooks > Religion & Spirituality

#44 in Kindle eBooks > Religion & Spirituality