Customer Reviews

Wagered Heart (Thorndike Christian Historical Fiction)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I typically prefer contemporary romances to western or historical romances, but I was completely captivated by this story from start to finish! It is one of the best books I have read this year! I will definitely read it again in the years to come! Besides being captivating for its romantic theme, the book has a very serious and important message throughout. Also, this story has a great range of characters! I would recommend it to anyone who likes to read romance novels!

If you are a fan of Western Romances, then this one will fit right in with the rest of your collection. Bethany is a well drawn heroine who encounters misery and joy as she discovers what the western frontier is all about. There is a bit more drama and the detail work is scant, but overall this was a fun romp with all the usual and necessary elements.

LOVED this book! Could NOT put it down! Sizzling romance, great dialogue, believable characters. You will not be sorry you bought this one! Get ready to curl up and READ!!

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*

Robin Lee Hatcher is a Fantastic author. She writes love stories that anyone can read. There is no graphic/nasty love scenes in these books. What a wonderful change.

It pains me to say this, but I'm sincerely tired of reading rewritten stories. I wasn't aware that Wagered Heart happened to be one until I reached the author's note at the very end. Had I known that prior to starting the book, I think my expectations might have been a bit different. Instead, all I could think as I read chapter after chapter was that this was not Robin's best work. She has written some seriously good historical fiction over the years (the Coming to America series being some of her best), and I was anxious to read something new and original by her that would be equally as enjoyable.

I'm sorry to say that this book was not it, mostly because the love story was a little over the top. Bethany was "in love" with Hawk almost from the word go, and reading about it over and over again just got on my nerves. Also, the middle of the book got a little too crazy for my taste with too many emotional changes happening in rapid succession--marriages, deaths, moving, etc.

It just wasn't the book for me...I don't think I can put it any plainer than that. Robin has rewritten several of her general market romances over the years with some being very good and others, like this one, falling a bit short. In the future, I may need to stick with her contemporary novels only because I've yet to read one of those that I didn't like.

2.5 Stars

This is one of the most wonderful books I have ever read! This novel kept me on the edge of my seat all the while making me smile, laugh and cry. I definitely suggest this book!

As Bethany Siverton and her parents has left Philadelphia to come to Montana so that her father could begin a church. He was a preacher and Bethany didn't want to leave the large city when all the parties were held. But she found out that she really liked Montana when she met Hawk Chandler who is one fourth Indian but was looked down on by the people he met, He owned a ranch that had a lot of water and another rancher Vince Richards wanted so that he could control all the ranches in the area. But Hank was not selling so all kind of things begin to happen to his cattle and he was even beat up.

But nothing would change Bethany's heart that she really cared for him. Her friend Ingrid who they had taken on with them when her parents died on the trip to Montana. She lived with the Silvertons as their own daughter. She met Rand when they first came to town and fell in love with him.

This book has romance and also so suspense woven throughout, making it an interesting read.

Thanks to Zondervan Publisher for sending me this book to review.