About the Book

Book: Meghan’s Choice
Author: Donna L. H. Smith
Genre: Christian Historical Western Romance
Release Date: November, 2017

Meghan Gallagher complies with her father’s demand that she work on her own for a year by choosing to tutor eight children in a wild Kansas railroad town. But she had no idea just how wild it was until she was rescued by a local dance hall the day she arrived, and soon after hit by a stray bullet. In short order, she meets a dark, handsome cowboy and a wholesome, attractive doctor who both vie for her heart. As things heat up around town, Meghan’s love life catches fire as well. Is she scandalous to allow both men to court her at the same time? And—how close a relationship with God does Meghan want? Will she draw near? Meghan’s Choice (pre-published) was named a semi-finalist in the 2014 Operation First Novel by Jerry B. Jenkins and an honorable mention for the Golden leaf Award in 2015. Since publication, Meghan’s Choice was a Selah Award finalist and also in the Will Rogers Medallion Award. Published in connection with Hartline Literary Agency, serving the Christian book community. Visit us at www.hartlineliterary.com.

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MY THOUGHTS.....

You have to get a job and you have to live on your own for one year! This isn't what a spoiled girl wants to hear when she has been used to getting new clothes and new shoes any time she wants but it is the ultimatum that Meghan Gallagher hears from her father in March 1871. Fast forward about a month and Meghan has left her safe and luxurious life in St. Louis to work in New Boston, Kansas. Suddenly, in this railroad town, Meghan is exposed to saloons, bar fights, guns, and romance. She also gets shot soon after she arrives! When she catches the eye of two men who want to 'come courting' on Sundays she finds herself referring to her Sundays as either Scott Sunday or Duncan Sunday. Scott Allison is the town doctor, Duncan Wilcox is a handsome cowboy, and suddenly, Meghan is lonely no more!

Fans of westerns will enjoy this Christian historical romance that is set in 1871. There is excitement, danger, and even a tornado that rips through the town and there are several intriguing characters. Olivia Baldwin runs the boardinghouse where Meghan gets a room, Rosie is a dance hall girl who becomes Meghan's friend, and Duncan is like the cowboys that I grew up watching on TV, one of the good guys wearing the white hats! As for Dr. Allison: he proves to be both a contradiction and a complication! But most of all, this is the story of how Meghan matures. She becomes self-reliant and self-assured and she begins to experience a new relationship with God. Meghan has always known about God but it is through her father's challenge and Duncan's guidance that Meghan begins to KNOW God. She goes from believing that 'To her, God was judgement, hell to avoid, someone to believe in, but not really know' (p. 206) to realizing that 'Jesus loved her, died for her, and would guide her through life.' (p. 311).

Meghan's Choice is A Known by Heart novel from author Donna L. H. Smith and I recommend it for anyone who enjoys Christian romance and historical fiction.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit but I am voluntarily sharing my thoughts.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

About the Author

Donna L.H. Smith is a Kansas prairie girl transplanted to Lancaster County, PA. She is a graduate of Christian Writer’s Guild Craftsman program and holds two college degrees, both B.S. and M.A. in Mass Communication. She’s been married to a wonderful man named Kirby for thirty years. Her debut novel, Meghan’s Choice, made the finals of both the Selah and Will Rogers Medallion Awards. Rose’s Redemption, the sequel, was just released. She blogs, speaks at workshops and retreats and although she is at an age where many begin slowing down, she wouldn’t think of it. Recently, she took on the role of Managing Editor of Almost an Author.com, and serves as ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) Mid-Atlantic Zone Director. She is also a member of AWSA’s Protégé program (Advanced Writers & Speaker’s Association).

More from Donna

Back in 2012, I wrote “Zorro” stories for Fan Fiction. I had an awful lot of fun with them, and people seemed to really like them. So, the thought came, what could I write for ‘real?’ I contemplated, prayed, and after a couple weeks or so, an idea came floating across my brain. “Gunfight at Hyde Park.” Huh? I thought about it, and realized it was an obscure history lesson from my hometown in Kansas. I had Google it to get the details. I thought, well, I’m not gonna write a Christian romance novel just about a series of gunfights that killed and wounded more people than the OK Corral. But I did think that the beginning of the gunfights could be the climax of the story. Now, who should my heroine be? And the hero? I started with that and took Christian Writer’s Guild’s Craftsman and the novel was completed in 2013—but only published in late 2017. I’m proud of Meghan’s Choice. Pre-published it made the semi-finals of the last Operation 1^st Novel that CWG held and placed in a couple of smaller contests. Last year, it made the finals of the prestigious Selah Awards for published books through the BRMCWC, and the finals of the Will Rogers Medallion Award. My hope is that you’ll enjoy reading it as much as I loved writing it.