Land of My Heart (Heirs of Montana Book 1) by Tracie Peterson

Tracie Peterson never fails to enthrall her readers and this book is no exception. Land of My Heart has some many wonderful qualities that make it an easy and delightful read. The characters are real and the emotions they feel I feel right along with them. Tracie's imagery of the surroundings really made me feel like I was right there in the wilderness with the Chadwick family. 

Dianne’s family owned a store in New Madrid, Missouri in 1864. While out taking money on the daily run to the bank for her father, Dianne is verbally attacked by some men. Her father comes out of the store and is killed by a gun shot. This sets the whole story in motion. Dianne, her mother, her little sisters and her twin older brothers Morgan and Zane set out for Virginia City, Wyoming, to stay with their Uncle Bram. 

Dianne’s brother Trenton decided not to head west with the family and decided to seek revenge for the death of his father and joined up with a friend and a band of bank robbers. Trenton felt trapped in this life after he witnessed things that the leader of the group would kill him for if he ever left because Trenton knew too much. Trenton later realized that his heart was not in the right place in seeking revenge by joining with this band of outlaws.  

Dianne was a pure delight. She was young, but she was being brought up to be strong and nurturing just as women in the 1860's were to be. She cared for her mother and siblings more than anything. I was pleasantly impressed with Dianne’s defiance to her mother about associating with people of color. Dianne’s mother insisted while out on the trail that she should not associate with any of color, but Dianne would not be deterred. Dianne had a pure heart and would not allow anyone to take her faith in God away either. Along the way Dianne questions her faith because of the losses that she endured, but Faith her former slave friend helped her to see that God works in mysterious ways and for His good.

Dianne’s mother, who learned she was expecting a baby shortly before heading out on the trail was very much a southern belle. She had Dianne watching over the younger siblings because she was sick much of the trip and unable to tend to her motherly duties. When the Chadwick family finally reaches Virginia City, Mrs. Chadwick wanders away during a storm and she eventually passes along with the baby.

While out on the trail Dianne’s younger sisters both passed away. First little Ardith went to the river and was lost in the current never to be found. So they had to move on without her. Then further on the trip, Dianne’s other sister Betsy goes to visit the animals while they are stopped and she gets kicked in the head and passes away as well.

While with the wagon train Dianne meets Cole, whom she becomes engaged to at the end of the book. He has demons in his past as well that are caused by his father. At the end of the book Cole and Dianne are parting because Cole is going to make things right with his Pa.

Through all the trials and tribulations that Dianne’s family endured her faith stayed strong and she continued to seek God even though many terrible things had happened to them.

This book was very real and the characters were very real and heartwarming. There were dark moments with so many people who had died, but in the 1860's while traveling in the wilderness it is to be expected with no shelter and the threat of sickness and Indian attacks.

5 Stars for Tracie Peterson!