When handsome JT Grant saves her, setting her nerves tingling and testing her sworn celibacy, she’s determined to push on, not trusting her heart after so many betrayals.
Ex-Pinkerton detective JT Grant has pledged to avenge the death of his best friend, Hank Lipton, a man who saved his life twice. And then he meets Carrie. She’s an ornery woman who needs protection, but she’s also alluring in a way he cannot resist. JT finds himself falling for the petite, chestnut beauty, but he faces a conflict because his heartbreaking secrets could keep Carrie from her goals.
Beset with hardships, chased by criminals, and under constant threat of death, these two strangers form a bond forged by heartache and desperation. Together, they seek truth, justice, and the fulfillment of their dreams.
Lovers of historicals, murder mysteries, western romances, and inspirationals will lose themselves in this uplifting story of loss, faith, and love. This page-turner will have you missing sleep and forgetting appointments.Betrayed by her parents and her criminal husband, naive young widow Carrie Wagner flees her home in Columbus, Ohio, to follow her dream of starting over in California. Even though she’s sworn off men, Carrie is determined to carry on and adopt orphans, creating the loving family home she longs for. But, when an uneducated, foul-mouthed, stowaway, twelve-year-old Billy drops into her life, her dreams are one step closer to being answered.
Tammy Ruggles for Reader Views –
Guilty of Stealing His Heart: Never Say You Love Me” by Nancy Lynn White is a historical romance novel that will completely capture your imagination and heart. It is a sprawling story, but necessary for this engrossing drama to unfold.
We have a central character, Carrie Wagner, who is wronged by her nefarious husband, and her parents. A widow, she is a bit naive about the true ways of the world. She leaves her Columbus, Ohio home in favor of California, hoping to make a fresh start with just a dream.
Vowing to have nothing to do with men again, Carrie focuses on her goal of adopting children who have no parents and giving them the kind of home and family she always wanted. And then Billy enters the picture. He’s twelve and has an adult mouth and attitude. Carrie figures he is in her life for a reason and believes he can help her achieve her dream. Then JT rescues her, bringing back those old feelings she swore she didn’t want anymore. She vowed to be celibate, but she sure is having second thoughts about it. Still, she hardens her heart a little, trying to avoid another mistake that will end up hurting her.
JT, a detective, is living his own life and solving his problems. His best friend was killed, and JT intends to get to the bottom of it. He doesn’t count on meeting a woman who can turn his life upside down: Carrie. He has reasons to stay away from her, yet he’s still attracted to her. What are they to do?
This novel will draw you in from the very beginning—especially the characters. Carrie is well-rounded, and full of life, plans, hopes, and dreams—a realistic portrayal by the author. JT is fully fleshed out, and the conflict between these two personalities is what drives the story forward. These rich characters are two that you grow to care about as the story progresses. They’re interesting, with compelling backstories and future possibilities that seem real-world.
I like that the author takes time to bring the plot along, presenting obstacles that need to be handled, and setting up dangerous and unpredictable situations. This is an emotional, personal drama with broad themes of dreams, truth, and justice. If you like historical romance, suspenseful mysteries, and stories that inspire you, “Guilty of Stealing His Heart: Never Say You Love Me” by Nancy L. White is one to keep you invested until the final page.
Tracy Traynor for Readers’ Favorite –
In 1844, at the age of five, Carrie was abandoned by her parents and left at an orphanage in Ohio in “Guilty of Stealing His Heart” by Nancy Lynn White. It takes many years to get over the rejection, but Carrie’s heart stays focused on the Lord, and she grows up into a loving and caring person. Happiness arrives when Philip Wagner asks her to marry him. Little did she know that two weeks later her life would fall apart for a second time. With the town turning against her, Carrie and her best friend Ruth decide to move to California and start life afresh. For financial reasons, they travel separately. JT Grant’s wife ran away with all his money years ago, and he’s made his mind up never to trust women again. Paid as a Pinkerton detective, JT begins to trail Carrie on her long journey. He gets close to her in an endeavor to prove her guilty connection to her dead husband. Young orphan Billy pulls on Carrie’s heartstrings and she takes him under her wing and treats him like a younger brother. But Billy is full of secrets and has a past he’s desperate to keep from Carrie.
“Guilty of Stealing His Heart: Never Say You Love Me” by Nancy Lynn White is a lovely Christian historical romance. This book has wonderful historical content which makes it a fascinating read. The plot is well planned and structured and I enjoyed the surprises that appeared. It is a slow-burn romance, a little like enemies-to-lovers, but sweet. Nancy Lynn White writes from the heart and the book is full of emotion which makes it a gripping read. There are Bible verses at the end of each chapter that enhance the storyline. With a strong theme of forgiveness and not judging, of living a life of giving and sharing, this charming book is easy to recommend.
Literary Titan Book Review –
Nancy Lynn White’s “Guilty of Stealing His Heart” is a well-crafted Historical Western Romance that elegantly traces the transformative journey of Carrie Wagner. As a young and initially naive woman, Carrie embarks on a quest for a fresh start, fleeing the shadows of her criminal husband and her parents’ misdeeds. Her odyssey from Ohio to California is not just a geographical shift but an emotional voyage filled with dreams, aspirations, and a deep-seated desire to build a nurturing family she has always yearned for, yet never experienced.
In this novel, White deftly weaves a tapestry of intricate emotions and compelling characters. The plot, which initially unfolds at a leisurely pace, gradually gains momentum, blossoming into a rich narrative replete with mystery and intrigue. The character development is exceptional, with each persona, particularly Billy, being meticulously crafted with unique and original traits that enhance the story’s allure.
White’s writing is imbued with a sweet nostalgia befitting the genre of historical romance. The dynamic between Carrie and JT is particularly captivating, characterized by a magnetic push-and-pull romance. Their mutual determination to resist falling for each other only intensifies the tension and suspense, adding layers of depth to the narrative. This romantic tension is balanced by themes of new beginnings, faith, justice, and mystery, making the novel not just a romance but a multi-faceted exploration of human resilience and growth.
Despite her initial naivety and inexperience, Carrie emerges as an empathetic character. Readers will find themselves connected to her journey, rooting for her at every turn. “Guilty of Stealing His Heart” is a riveting read, brimming with inspiration, skillful dialogue, and a narrative drive that makes it difficult to put down. Nancy Lynn White has delivered a novel that is a delightful and profound exploration of love, growth, and redemption.
Bonface Landi for IndieReader –
GUILTY OF STEALING HIS HEART by Nancy Lynn White is a captivating Christian historical romance. The story opens ni 1844, when five-year-old Carrie is abandoned by her parents and left in an orphanage in Ohio. The emotional trauma of this abandonment lingers throughout her life, shaping her character and fueling her commitment to a higher purpose. Life gives her temporary rest when she gets married to Philipp Wagner. However, her joy does not last long. Her husband’s criminal activities come to light, throwing her life in disarray. Determined to leave her painful past behind, she embarks on a journey to California to start a new life.
Carrie’s path intertwines with that of JT Grant, an ex-Pinkerton detective on a mission to avenge his best friend’s death. As they face hardships, criminals, and the constant threat of danger, their unlikely bond is forged through heartache and desperation. The arrival of twelve-year-old stowaway Bily adds complexity to their journey, revealing secrets and challenges that test their resolve.
White’s portrayal of Carrie’s growth from a traumatized child to a resilient, caring woman is both poignant and captivating. The slow-burn romance between Carrie and JT, tinged with elements of the enemies-to-lovers trope, adds depth to the storyline and keeps readers engaged. One notable feature of the book is incorporating Bible verses at the end of each chapter, enhancing the overarching themes of forgiveness, non-judgment, and a life of giving and sharing. This Christian influence contributes to the uplifting and inspirational nature of the novel.
The book has its share of surprises, and the plot unfolds with a perfect balance of suspense and sweet romance. White’s writing is heartfelt, and the emotional depth of the characters makes the story gripping. The inclusion of young orphan Billy brings an additional layer of complexity to the narrative, as secrets from his past threaten to disrupt Carrie’s pursuit of her dreams.
GUILTY OF STEALING HIS HEART is a well-crafted historical fiction novel that skillfully navigates the challenges faced by its characters. The book delves into the trauma of abandonment, the pain of betrayal, and the power of faith and forgiveness. White’s storytelling is rich in detail, and the book is enhanced by thoughtful subtitles that provide context for the chapters, such as “December 28, 1859, The Adoptees Arrive.” Historical context helps, too, as when the first three chapters illustrate (among other things) society’s preference for boys over girls: “He wanted boys to work the land with him when they finally reached their farm, yet all Mama could give him was a daughter and a sickly son.” With details like that, the novel seamlessly weaves historical elements into the narrative and captures the essence of living between 1844 and 1860.
While the pacing, relying heavily on dialogue, may be slow in the early parts, ti picks up towards the end and reveals the author’s deliberate approach to building tension and anticipation. Overall, the narrative’s ability to evoke a deep emotional connection with the characters compensates for any pacing concerns. Nancy Lynn White’s ability to convey valuable life lessons through the journey of her characters makes this novel a highly recommended choice for enthusiasts of historical fiction, realistic fiction, and stories with shifting paces.
Nancy Lynn White’s GUILTY OF STEALING HIS HEART is a compelling and uplifting read that seamlessly blends historical elements with romance and inspiration.
~Bonface Landi for IndieReader