Defiant Heart - (Westward Hearts) by Tracey Bateman (Paperback)

About the Book

In the first book in the Westward Hearts Trilogy, Fannie tries to escape a life of indentured servitude by secretly joining a wagon train heading west to find a new life.

Book Synopsis

In Book One of the Westward Hearts series, orphans Fannie Caldwell and her two young siblings have spent the last three years as indentured servants under a cruel master. Desperately wanting a better life for her brother and sister, Fannie devises a plan to secretly join a wagon train heading west. Her plan immediately runs into trouble when the handsome yet bullheaded wagon master Blake Tanner refuses to allow an unmarried woman on the train. But Fannie's determined--she'll escape and go west with or without help.

As life on the trail tests everyone's endurance and faith, Fannie soon realizes the perils of being a single woman on the frontier. Witnessing Fannie fending off one scare after another, Blake slowly recognizes how much he cares for this alluring young woman. Will Blake sacrifice his own dreams and guide Fannie to safety? Or will Fannie's stubborn independence keep her from finding true love?

From the Back Cover

In Book One of the Westward Hearts series, orphan Fannie Caldwell and her two young siblings have spent the last three years as indentured servants under a cruel master. Desperately wanting a better life for her brother and sister, Fannie devises a plan to secretly join a wagon train heading west. Her plan immediately runs into trouble when the handsome yet bullheaded wagon master Blake Tanner refuses to allow an unmarried woman on the train. But Fannie's determined; she'll escape and go west with or without help. As life on the trail tests everyone's endurance and faith, Fannie soon realizes the perils of being a single woman on the frontier. Witnessing Fannie fending off one scare after another, Blake slowly recognizes how much he cares for this alluring young woman. Will Blake sacrifice his own dreams and guide Fannie to safety? Or will Fannie's stubborn independence keep her from finding true love?

Review Quotes

"Award-winning author Bateman captivates with her latest novel...filled with action, drama and endearing characters...." -- Romantic Times BOOKclub

"A wonderful story of adventure and love on the westward trail....a pleasure to read." -- Tracie Peterson, award-winning and best-selling author of the Alaskan Quest series