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Discerning God's Best
Series · 4 books · 2021-2025

Books in series

With All My Heart book cover
#2

With All My Heart

2021

Pete Manning moved to the western frontier in 1860 to avoid the law. Cleared of all wrongdoing, he longs to make his house a home. The one thing missing is the woman he met two years before and never forgot. He knew then that she was the one, but he hadn’t been brave enough to offer her his heart. Now, she and her people have moved on, leaving Pete alone with his regrets. When Pete’s independent niece shows up unexpectedly, Lizzie’s desire to live outside society’s norms injects new energy and goals into Pete’s predictable life. Instead of simply surviving, performing daily chores, and ingesting barely edible food, Lizzy pushes Pete to make something of his land and himself. But even when the woman of his dreams returns, love and happiness still seem out of reach. Despised and rejected by her tribe, Singing Bird flees with her son, seeking shelter in the only place they have ever felt welcomed, appreciated, and protected. But in doing so, she places herself near the one man she has tried to forget. Despite her love for him, she knows he could never forgive her past. Accepting love after rejection is a journey of its own. “Through the twists and turns of this remarkable journey of faith, you’ll realize how alike we all are in our resistance to accept needed change, even when it leads to a better life.” – Amazon Reviewer.
Matters of the Heart book cover
#3

Matters of the Heart

2022

Even when the war within seems never-ending, God promises hope and healing. Katie Murphy has a heart for what matters. She wants to open an orphanage, but the town’s magistrate won’t allow it. Determined to champion the needs of the homeless, Katie finds ways around the man’s policies, like convincing a talented cart designer and maker to transport one of her orphans to a waiting adoptive family. Hans Korhonen bravely served in a Civil War field hospital and is ready for a life without orders and the unrealistic expectations of others. He seeks a future that matters—one where people respect his abilities and where his heart and mind can heal. Working with Katie helps. So does accompanying the circuit-riding preacher on the trail. Hans appreciates Katie’s fire and admires how she advocates for the needy. Katie values Hans’s willingness to serve every community he visits. The rebuilding of two lives in the 1866 era of reconstruction comes easier when they learn to depend wholly on God; knowing His love for them draws them closer—to Him and each other.
Healing of the Heart book cover
#4

Healing of the Heart

2024

He’s sworn to heal others, but at what cost to himself? Step into the bustling streets of post-Civil War Philadelphia, where cultural injustice and class disparity run rampant. Amidst this chaos, Thomas, an aspiring doctor from the wilds of Missouri, struggles to find his place in a society to which he is unaccustomed. But when he meets debutante Emmaline Whitaker, she teaches him more than the social graces - she holds the key to his future. Only it is the independent, fun-loving Theodora Morse who holds his attention. As Thomas navigates the complexities of high society, he must also confront his inner turmoil. When devastating news comes from home, Thomas is forced to use his waning faith to determine the desire of his heart. Will Thomas stand by his convictions and fight against the malaise of those around him, or will he choose the safety and comfort of his new life? In this powerful Christian historical fiction, award-winning author Heidi Gray McGill weaves a poignant tale of love, sacrifice, and redemption in the City of Brotherly Love. For Misty M. Beller, Lacy Williams, and Linda Ford fans, this standalone novel in the Discerning God’s Best series will capture your heart and leave you breathless. You’ll love this book if you enjoy gripping historical drama and compelling characters. Binge-read the entire series on Kindle Unlimited. Full-length Christian historical fiction A standalone novel in the Discerning God’s Best series Includes discussion questions for book 1871 – 1873 For fans of Misty M. Beller, Lacy Williams, Linda Ford, Melissa Jagears, and Candace Sue Patterson Book Desire of My Heart Book With All My Heart Book Matters of the Heart Book Healing of the Heart Prequel Deep in My Heart – available for free with newsletter signup on Heidi Gray McGill's website.
Written on My Heart book cover
#5

Written on My Heart

2025

It’s hard to hear God’s voice when you’ve already decided what you want him to say. In the wilds of the rugged West, Betsy Smith discovers beauty in every corner—from the blazing sunsets to the wind murmuring secrets through the mountains. Yet, it's the magnetism of Gabe Manning, with his dark complexion and dashing demeanor, that draws her gaze. Having known him since childhood, Betsy sees in Gabe the embodiment of the heroes she admires from her a stalwart protector of the innocent, a champion of justice, a man of unshakable integrity, and a paragon of honor, guided by principles as steadfast as the mountains themselves—all while reconciling with his Arapaho Indian heritage. Yet, amid her admiration, Betsy longs for God’s reassurance that Gabe is the one for her. As deputy of Shumard Oak Bend, Missouri, in 1875, Gabe “Little Sun” Manning sees the allure and harshness of frontier life. Amidst the chaos, he finds solace in the presence of Miss Betsy Smith, a compassionate schoolteacher whose independence and intellect captivate him as profoundly as her beauty. Yet, as their bond deepens, Gabe wrestles with doubts about his ability to fulfill the desires of her heart. He knows she's willing to forsake her career for a future with him, but can he offer her the family she seeks? Haunted by the secrets of his past and desperate for redemption, Gabe faces his most formidable challenge yet. Written on My Heart is a powerful Christian Historical Romance full of resilience, redemption, and the enduring power of the human spirit. In award-winning author Heidi Gray McGill’s fifth installment in the Discerning God’s Best series, you’ll be transported to a world of wild-west adventure and heartwarming romance. For Misty M. Beller, Lacy Williams, and Linda Ford fans, this standalone novel in the Discerning God’s Best series will capture your heart and leave you breathless. You’ll love this book if you enjoy gripping historical drama and compelling characters. Binge-read the entire series on Kindle Unlimited. • Full-length Christian historical fiction • A standalone novel in the Discerning God’s Best series • Includes discussion questions for book clubs • 1875–1876 • For fans of Misty M. Beller, Lacy Williams, and Linda Ford Book Desire of My Heart Book With All My Heart Book Matters of the Heart Book Healing of the Heart Book Written on My Heart Deep in My Heart – available for free with newsletter signup. Search Heidi Gray McGill to locate her website.

Author

Heidi Gray McGill
Heidi Gray McGill
Author · 7 books

Whether historical or contemporary, you will find Heidi’s Christian Fiction works full of God’s redeeming love. Everything Heidi writes is purposeful. She believes in bringing a reader into the awareness of who God is to them and how He interacts with them on a personal level. She does this by crafting characters so relatable you feel part of who they are. Heidi reaches deep into the reader’s heart through masterfully written words and offers ways toward healing by seamlessly applying God’s Word throughout her stories. Receive the prequel to Heidi's Christian Historical Fiction series, Discerning God's Best, for FREE when you sign up for her newsletter https://heidigraymcgill.com/my-books/ Heidi and her husband of over thirty years live in South Carolina. Besides writing Christian fiction with relatable characters in life-changing stories, Heidi relishes time with family and friends. She enjoys scrapbooking, playing games, traveling, and building bridges with her grandsons that must fall with a loud crash and usually involve a monster truck.

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