Land of My Heart (Heirs of Montana #1) by Tracie Peterson
Non-Austen Reads for Austen Readers is something I started a while back for fans of Jane Austen who after reading all her works are looking for something new to read.
There are numerous variations of Jane Austen’s works, but while those adaptations are fun, sometimes you don’t always want to read the same story. Sometimes you want Austen-like works, but not exactly the same as Austen’s works. But what can you read instead?
That’s why I started this series. I will be reviewing books that have components of what we love about the Austen novels, but are not just another retelling, but their own unique story.
I am currently tying to clean out my kindle and when I read this book it made me think it would be perfect for my NAR4AR list.
The Chadwick’s have a store in New Madrid, Missouri but life has gotten harder since the Civil War. They are in the frontlines and things are growing more tense everyday. Mr. Chadwick sells to both sides of the war and tries to keep his boys out of it; although soon they will be old enough to sign up.
While there is military everywhere, New Madrid is still very unsafe as men are roaming all over and not all have the best intentions. When the store’s deposit needs to be taken to the bank and the boys all have taken off with no word where they are; Diane decides to pick up the slack, but on her way back she is stopped by some men who have nothing good on their minds. Saved by the Union military and her father, it becomes a shootout and her father is killed in the crossfire.
Without their father the family is uncertain as to what they will do. They don’t see themselves being able to continue the business or survive long as is. With a grieving mother who was only taught how to keep house, Diane decides the best thing for the family would be to go West to her uncle’s home. She writes him a letter, finds a buyer for the mercantile, and starts prepping. She presents everything to her mother and she agrees the best thing is to leave.
The family is all prepared to leave, all but Diane’s older brother Trent who sneaks out in order to stay behind and get revenge on the people who killed his father. All in the family blame Diane for Mr. Chadwick’s death, some seeing it as her fault and others seeing it as situational; but I thought it was weird no one blamed the boys who’s actual fault it was as they should have done their job to take the deposit.
They sign up with Daniel Keefer, a great wagon master and his assistant Cole Selby. Cole and Diane do not get along as Cole sees Diane as being a city girl that can’t handle the trail. He catches her making many mistakes such as accidentally setting fire to her dress, or ruining the first breakfast she has ever cooked in her life. Dianne hates that Cole always seemed to catch her at her worst, but as the two spend time together their animosity starts changing to something more…
Trent becomes a outlaw but finds the lifestyle not what he wants. He ends up running from them as well and becoming a gambler, going through towns to play cards and win money. He often lands himself into a tough spot as a gambler’s life is not an easy or safe one.
Life on the trail West is hard with death, grief, madness, illness, and more. But when they reach the end of the trail it is no better, with Diane facing even more hardships. Will Diane be able to overcome this, or will it be the final straw that destroys this young woman?
This book reminded me of Sense and Sensibility to start with as once the patriarch of the family dies, their families have a complete change of life: are forced to leave their homes, and find themselves in a new area dependent on their extended family.
Both books also have female characters who’s older brother shirk their responsibility and leave their sisters and mother to fend for themselves.
It also brought to mind Pride and Prejudice, the why Cole and Diane act with each other. Cole makes me think of Elizabeth as after Diane accuses him of being a thief (he was inspecting their wagons to make sure they were ready for the trail), he dislikes her finding her to be to city and uppity. From that moment on everything Diane does is a mistake and he is determined not to be attracted to her, but by the end finds himself changing his mind.
For Dianne she makes me think of Mr. Darcy; the way she was thrust into taking care of her family after her father passes. Diane does not want anything to do with Cole, he is the last man she would ever consider as they come from very different backgrounds (and he keeps witnessing her mistakes). However, as their trip continues West, she finds herself eyeing him, and can’t help but fall for him.
Like Darcy, Diane has her own “Caroline Bingley” buzzing around her, something that is encouraged by all on the trail as they feel this man is perfectly suited for her. Even though he fits all the boxes and seems better suited as a romantic partner, Diane finds herself thinking more of the cowboy trail hand Cole.
It is a well written story that keeps you turning pages; but it is also one that is full of drama, pain, family, love, and more. It definitely will have you go through all the emotions.
For more Non-Austen Reads for Austen Readers, go to Non-Austen Reads for Austen Readers: Desperate Measures
For more Westerns, go to A Lady in Defiance
For more book reviews, go to iDRAKULA
janeaustenrunsmylife 