Kate is a strong character who sees no choice but to escape to the frontier in order to fulfill her dream of being a doctor. Of course, people in Craig, Colorado aren’t much more open-minded about a woman being a doctor than her family was back home. Nonetheless, she begins to find success and friendship and, even though she wasn’t looking for it, love. Some of her actions backfire, and her meddling almost costs Lucas his life—when she’s not busy almost dying of exposure on an ill-thought-out trip to take care of his injuries. Of the four books in this series I read, this was my favorite.

Carolyn Twede Frank writes turn-of-the-20th-Century western romances. I’ll admit, it’s not my favorite genre. But when you’re looking among your ARCs for something light and quick to read, they fit the bill.

Frank’s books are published by Covenant Communications, who also publish Traci Hunter Abramson. To be honest, I found Abramson’s writing to be superior. The editing on her books was far superior as well. I know that this could be a function of the fact that I am reading uncorrected galleys, but some errors in Franks work were so fundamental—misused words, confusing “lie” and “lay”, and a mess with homophones—I really hope these were cleaned up on final.

Characters have a fairly clear line between “good” people and “bad” people. The good ones tend to be very empathetic and helpful, always wanting the best for everyone. The bad ones are low-down sneaky varmints. Side characters are engaging, which is good, because we meet them over and over through the series.

As with anything published by Covenant, these books are squeaky clean, not going past kissing with unmarried people, and some super mild innuendo between the married ones. Cursing is limited to such words as “heck” and “dagnabit.” There are hardships, and people do die, sometimes at the wrong end of a gun, but violence also is mild.

Thank you to Covenant Communications and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book also reviewed at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2021/12/sweethearts-of-wild-west.html

A female doctor, the wild west and a step back in time come together to make a delightfully enjoyable read!

I liked the two main Characters and the plot of this book was very interesting. Thanks to Netgalley for this free copy. Over all rating ☆☆☆☆, because the ending I felt that it was rushed .

I enjoyed this sweet western romance. It isn't a typical western. Likable characters and a good plot made this an enjoyable read.

This is a sweet little western romance novel. Light hearted and an easy read. Katherine “Kate” leaves the city to follow her dream of becoming a doctor, against her parents’ wishes. I felt the best part of the book were the descriptions of how life was back in this era. Travel was by horseback, wagons or stagecoach, in a small rural community, everyone knows everyone else’s business, feuds over grazing rights was common, and of course, you always have a town bully. I’m sure you would find a little two room rental above the leather shop and the saloon would replace the swinging doors for the winter winds. I did find Kate’s monologue was shallow and her thoughts were immature and sometimes not realistic, but all and all I enjoyed my time reading this little yarn in the town of Craig. I would recommend if you enjoy western romance novels.
I thank Net Galley and Covenant Communications for allowing me the opportunity to read this for my review.

Heart Of The West Is the story of strength, independence, standing on your own two feet and Faith. It is a story of high society going to start on their own in a new boom town. She set on her own to start a career as a practicing physician leaving behind high society and a fiance. She brings with her, her Inner strength which rubs off on others in the town. She is noticed by a wonderful person, Lucas - does something arise between them? Does the town accept her as a female physician? Does the town accept her at all?

Clean western romance. Kate has grit to pack up and leave NYC for the wild west to practice medicine. She meets some characters along the way one of which is Lucas whom she is attracted to. The ending seemed a bit rushed. I enjoyed reading about a time period that I don't often choose to and will likely read more by this author.

This is the first time I have read anything by Carolyn Twede Frank. This is a nice author and she had an interesting concept of a love story.

The story flowed well until the very end. At the end of the story, it seemed a bit rushed and there was one place that jumped without a break or warning. The main characters were in one place and the next paragraph had them somewhere else at a very much later date. A bit disconcerting to say the least.

The main two characters were quite well developed. The other characters were well developed also, but not a lot of background given on them, but enough to not confuse you or make the book too long or boring.

I thought this was going to be a Christian book. but I would not call it that. It was a nice, clean book with no vulgar language or situations, but God was rarely mentioned nor did the main characters seem to pray or read their Bibles. If you were expecting more of that, you won't find it in this book. If you just want a nice, clean read, this is for you.

Lastly, the editing. At the beginning of the book, it was very nicely done. At about the halfway point, things went downhill. There were more and more errors the further I read. It also seemed that the ending was a bit rushed. Overall, I'd give it a 4 out of 5 stars.

I asked, and was given an ebook to read and review through netgalley.

Having never read anything by Carolyn Twede Frank I didn't really know what to expect. I do love this time period and books located out West, and the description was intriguing. I can't say as I was 'romanticized' by the Colorado high desert and had I been the heroine of this book, I probably would have climbed right back inside that stagecoach and travelled back to New York City as fast as I could get!

Katherine Donahue has some guts. She abandons her privileged, comfortable lifestyle all because she has a traditionalist fiancée, and parents that don't want to support her dream of becoming a doctor. I did wonder as I got further into this story, how she came to be in medical school in the first place, and how her parents 'allowed' it or why they allowed it, not having any intention of letting her practice. It is a bit odd, didn't seem to add up and I don't recall this being explained.

She has funds and a means to provide for herself until she is established. However, she arrives in Craig and is immediately shocked to see this town is not all she was led to believe. In a town where the men far outnumber the women, it is easy to see that she is going to have a challenge on her hands convincing them she is not there to find a husband. In fact, with her recent romance failure she has no intention of even thinking about marriage.

It is clear to see that the women of this town are in need of a female doctor. The town already has a doctor, who also serves as the Sheriff. As Kate befriends the citizens of her new home, gradually we see that she is needed, and she keeps plodding onwards to establish herself.

Of course, Kate attracts the attention, even unwanted from the prominent men in the town. One of whom will do whatever it takes to snag Kate for himself. Thinking he is above the law, it does not take long for her to see his true colors. Though she has sworn off men, she cannot deny the connection she is beginning to feel towards one man. Lucas McCurdy is an Irish immigrant who has been in Craig for some time. He came original with a dream to own his own land, and run a sheep ranch. Abandoned by his wife, who took his young daughter with her a few years earlier, he keeps to himself. Though his short visits in to town and crossing Kate's path are enough to convince them both of the undeniable chemistry that is growing.

Believing that he is still married and therefore off her radar - Katherine vows to stay focused and on target for the reason she came out here in the first place. As the danger increases, and the circumstances to her survival become more risky, Kate faces a never-ending emotional battle to resist writing to her mother for help, ending her dreams of independence and returning back to the civilization she has always known.

I loved this book, and the original story. I appreciated the author notes, that tell us how she came about this place and the history behind the book. There are some inconsistencies, like the Sheriff tells Kate early on that there is not enough people to not only provide the patient base for him to be a full time doctor, but also the inability to pay, hence his reason for taking on the job as Sheriff on the side. Yet later on in the book, she can be fully supported (even though some of those residents are sticking with the male doctor) by patients and their payments. We find out later on that there is also a midwife in the town, though she is aging and now can't continue in her work. None of these things are deal breakers, but enough to keep me from giving this a full 5 stars. I look forward to reading more from this author!

Thanks to Netgalley & Covenant Communications for the eARC. This is my honest review.

Enjoyed the storyline and the strength of the female character. Wished it followed through with the family a little more but still thought the overall story was happy and cute for a weekend read.

I enjoyed this book which took place in a State I rarely read about. I could get behind the main characters and really root for them!

Format: ARC Kindle ebook
Tissue warning: no
HEA: yes
Triggers: few descriptions of medical procedures
Narrative: 1st person, following Kate/Katherine
My reviewer rating: 4 of 5
Published: January 1, 2018
Available for purchase through Amazon

Thank you, Netgalley and the author Carolyn Twede Frank, for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for my honest-to-goodness review.
This story follows Katherine Donahue and her journey from the East Coast of America to the rough and tumble, wild west of Craig, Colorado, circa 1800's.
Kate leaves New York after freeing herself from a loveless engagement and unsupportive parents. See, Kate is forward-thinking and modern. She wants to be a doctor in a man's world. So, reading an ad for a doctor needed in a small, western town of Craig, Colorado, Kate jumps on a carriage and takes the long, grueling ride, alone, to the "Wild, Wild West."
I became fully involved in this story. The timing and pace was perfect. Until the end. The last few chapters, to me, felt rushed to fruition. I feel like I missed a few opportunities for resolutions (Joneses and McCurdy), character development (the Marshall, Lucas' daughter). But as far as heroines go, Kate is it. She's strong-willed, smart, independent, and such a delight to read.
There is definitely more where Ms. Frank can go with this town and these characters. I'll be delighted to see what comes next from her.
full review on blog!

When her fiancé and her parents won't support her dream to be a doctor, despite her successfully finishing medical school, Katherine Donahue leaves New York and heads west to Craig, Colorado, hoping to set up a medical practice there. While most of the men in town don't seem interested in a female doctor, some of the women seem open to the idea--but Kate doesn't know if that will be enough to sustain her practice. When a local cattle rancher is enraged by her rejection of his advances and her seeming interest in Lucas McCurdy, a sheep farmer he's already disputing with, Kate finds herself the topic of gossip that could further hurt her chance at being a doctor. And while she's vowed to never marry, she can't ignore the feelings she has for Lucas. After all she's sacrificed and after she's gotten to know and care for many of the women in town, though, Kate can't stand the thought of giving up her career.

Excellent historical romance! Kate was a great character--strong and determined but not abrasive and overbearing. I really liked seeing how she faced the problems that arose in the story. And Lucas was so kind and just so supportive of her; he was a terrific leading man. There were also several secondary characters whom I was delighted to meet and hope will become the protagonists in other books by the author. This was a sweet story with some depth to it that made it highly enjoyable.

I read a copy of the book via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Heart of the West is just as the title suggests, a western. Going out west is what Katherine Donahue has decided to do, breaking off her engagement to a man that wants to marry her for her money, Katherine steals away while her parents are gone, taking a trunk of clothes, her doctor bag and money her grandmother gave her. when Katherine arrives out west, she is surprised by how primitive the town is, but that isn't her only surprise, she builds friendships and learns to love the people in the small town, who never wanted a woman doctor, but tries to accept her all the same.