The Desires of Her Heart

by Lyn Cote

Book Overview

A New Orleans lady and a half-breed frontiersman become unlikely allies as they travel the wilds of texas.

In 1821, when circumstances make it impossible for her to remain in New Orleans, Dorritt and her family head west to join Stephen Austin's settlement and recoup their fortune in Texas.

Quinn is a man of the frontier who has made a name for himself as a peerless scout. But as he and Dorritt's party begin a grueling trek across untamed...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0061373419
• ISBN13: 9780061373411
• Release Date: February 2009
• Publisher: Avon Inspire
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.4" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Absolutely awesome book; I ordered the other 2 in series along with some of her others!

Lyn Cote wrote a totally fascinating, compelling, unique story with multiple layers of depth peeling away each layer as the characters, events/circumstances unfolded in the story. The subject was/new different for me, an atypical mixture of intriguing characters that are believable whether good or bad. Cotes' male voices and characters were quite credible and real-sounding. Cote possesses immense spiritual depth of understanding and so effectively transferred in dialog and onto the pages causing me to stop - ponder - allow the truth to seep deep and decide to make them my truth. Here's 1 example on page 278: Quinn thinking, "Her words came back to him: In Louisiana, I allowed myself to see myself as less than I am; less than God made me. And you allowed yourself to see yourself as men like my stepfather see you, not as God does." Profound truth and understanding so applicable to so many today including me! Not anymore. There are SO VERY many that are very impacting. Beautiful story, painful at times, but, oh, the beauty and the scripture Dorritt uses comes to pass because God is faithful. It doesn't necessarily turn out the way we ask/pray it at times and there are times we must wait but He does give us the desires of our heart - but, He does it so much better than what we ask. I have ordered the other two in this series and ordered other Cote books too. This makes book 3 of the 3 best books I've read in 2019: The Reluctant Bride by Jody Hedlund, A Heart Most Certain by Melissa Jagears, and The Desires of Her Heart by Lyn Cote. This book was book 103 I've read since Jan of this year. All 3 of these books' authors are extremely gifted with great spiritual depth and power truths that are as applicable today as they were during the time periods for which they were written

The Desires of Her Heart

The book was really enjoyed because of the historical fiction and the western romance and how the people overcame obstacles that seem to always arise and the love that blossoms out of the turmoils.

4.5 Stars: Freedom and honor: Seeing with the eyes of God

Dorritt Mott is a young woman who knows her mind. She values her independence and has no desire to marry. Dorritt is a sensible, practical woman who doesn't go in for the romantically exaggerated conversations of all the trappings of polite aristocratic Louisiana society. The plans of her step-father, Mr. Kilbride, run counter to her values and the plans she wants for herself. With the Panic of 1819 in the country's background and her step-father's own financial position threatened as well, the family heads west to Texas to join Stephen F. Austin's settlement. Secretly, Dorritt and her maid Reva hope that Texas will bring them freedom and men of honor. The journey brings her face to face with Quinn, a half-breed scout, a man whose integrity and honor inspires Dorritt. As they travel westward, the dangers mount. If the perils of terrain and climate were not enough to threaten their success, the historical background of the 1821 Mexican revolution in Spain is moving forward to the Texas Revolution of 1836. Whatever security Dorritt has before the journey is now overturned. She faces never-before encountered challenges. Racial prejudice and attitudes limiting women threaten both Reva and Dorritt. Can the two of them maintain their faith? Amidst all the difficult cirmcumstances they face, can they find the desires of their heart? In THE DESIRES OF HER HEART, the first of the Texas Star of Destiny series, Lyn Cote sets her characters in a period of American history which has an uncanny relevance to today's issues in terms of the challenges faced by individuals even though the exact circumstances are different. Unsure of her own economic welfare and often unable to change the direction of her step-father's ways, Dorritt focuses on the things she can change and maintains her faith in God. Dorritt has steadfastness and compassion for others despite the troubled times surrounding her. Quinn has a mysterious appealing side that attracts her. He listens to her and values her. But can he have enough faith in himself and in God to reach for his deepest desire? THE DESIRES OF HER HEART sets the historical stage for the series. Lyn Cote details the complexity of different policies on slavery in Louisiana and Texas as well as the difficult alliances between Spain, Mexico, and the anglo-americans. She details both the possibilities of freedom and the racial and gender prejudices that influence human relationships. The story is fast-paced and full of action. In the first part of the romance, Quinn might seem less developed and yet, the focus on Dorritt feels appropriate as it marks her as different than many of the other characters who rely mostly on others to define their self-worth. As the narrative progresses, the focus switches to Quinn with several moving twists that define his character. The beauty of THE DESIRES OF HER HEART comes from the manner in which Lyn Cote brings faith to this inspirational romance. First, the heroine Dorri

interesting "Era of Good Feelings" Americana romance

In 1821 twenty-five years old spinster Dorritt Mott fears her stepfather Mr. Kilbride is up to his usual no good, but this time her clenched gut expects the worst. She proves right when she learns he gambled away her family's Belle Vista Plantation that he has lived off of while she ran it. Knowing he must flee from New Orleans, he informs his extended family they will leave for the Texas Territory where they can claim land and start over. Dorritt would like to go her own way, but knows her pampered mom and her spoiled sister Jewell whose fiancé dumped her need her. Dorritt knows Mr. Kilbride is an amoral moron who will vanish at the first inkling of trouble; from what she knows of the trek from Louisiana to Texas it is very dangerous. She prefers to depend on wagon train half-breed scout Quinn and God than Kilbride. However, as her attraction for the half Cherokee grows, she learns once again a man cannot be trusted as he has business yes with Kilbride. The opening Texas Star of Destiny tale is an interesting "Era of Good Feelings" Americana romance. Although Mr. Kilbride, his wife and Jewell are too stereotyped, Dorritt and Quinn are fully developed intriguing lead characters. Fans will relish this fine tale of a feisty female defying the expected role of a Louisiana aristocrat in life and in love. Harriet Klausner