She’s never met a man who could keep up. He’s never met a challenge he couldn’t solve. But when love and faith collide, will either of them surrender their hearts? Cecelia Grace Trexler Shankel has never met her match. Raised on the rugged frontier, she rides harder, shoots straighter, and knows the land better than most men. At seventeen, she’s expected to marry, but no suitor has ever been her equal—and she refuses to settle for less. Independent to a fault and fiercely intelligent, Cecelia has no patience for anyone who can’t keep up with her. Then James “Jimmy” Reeves arrives. A brilliant but socially awkward pharmacist, Jimmy Reeves has spent his life mastering medicine, not people. After earning his medical degree in Philadelphia, he pursues further studies at the new school of pharmacy in South Carolina, refining his knowledge of formulas and precision-based healing. But instead of returning to a life of privilege, he heads west, determined to learn the practical side of medicine—where science meets survival. His plan is study natural remedies, assist his friend Thomas Shankel’s clinic, and return with newfound expertise. What he never expects is Cecelia Shankel—a woman as wild and untamed as the land itself, challenging everything he thought he knew about strength, skill, and survival. Their first meeting is a clash of worlds—her bold confidence against his quiet precision. She thinks he’s too stiff and bookish; he finds her exasperatingly unpredictable. But when a sudden smallpox outbreak threatens the town, they are forced to work together, testing their skills, patience, and faith. As sparks fly and respect grows, Cecelia finds herself drawn to a man who challenges her not with strength, but with knowledge. And Jimmy discovers that some things—like love and faith—can’t be measured in scientific terms. But Cecelia isn’t ready to let any man keep her heart. And Jimmy isn’t sure he’s brave enough to try. In a world where independence is survival, can two opposites surrender to God’s best plan for their lives? 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 Companion Christmas Stitched On My Heart Book Matters of the Heart Book Healing of the Heart Book Written on My Heart Book Keeper of My Heart Deep in My Heart – available for free with newsletter signup. Search Heidi Gray McGill to locate her website.
Author
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.
