Title: Hart's Truth
Author: Kelly Long
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published in April 2005 by Vintage Romance Publishing, LLC
IBSN: 0–9752868–7–0
Hart Pagett, orphaned at the tender age of eight, had lost his faith in the god in whom his missionary parents believed. They died taking his word to the people in the Congo. He resented their leaving, feeling it as a betrayal of a god to whom they had dedicated their lives. As a young raw, grad fresh from medical school, he jumps at the chance to prove himself. Going for an interview in the little railroad town of Renew, he meets the crotchety god fearing old Doctor McGuire and his daughter Abby. Tired and a little sick from the long wet drive up through the mountains, Hart doesn’t even have time to remember to bring in his briefcase in with all his references. Then things get worse because of the storm. A discussion between Hart and his host, about what made a man sick, is cut short by the strange eerie sound of a foghorn cutting through the night and interrupting their debate. It is the sound of impending doom for the passengers on the train. Hart’s mettle and knowledge is about to be tested. A trial by fire as the good doctor McGuire calls it.
What Hart didn’t figure on is becoming the town’s hero after rescuing a little boy from drowning during the storm, which raises doctor McGuire’s opinion of him a notch. He soon finds out doctor McGuire is fast losing his eyesight, which is the reason why he needs an assistant. The only problem between him and his new employer is the doctor’s belief in a god that he’d long ago stopped believing in. It is a great position if only they would just keep their beliefs to themselves. He knows that it will be a challenge for him because most of the patients he will be treating in the town are God fearing people like the good doctor and his daughter. Especially the beautiful Abby McGuire, for whom he felt more than a passing affection. He admires her tenacity and knowledge but is not sure if he could handle her strong belief in a god who had taken everything away from him. Only he can answer the question of forgiveness for the desertion of his parents at so young an age, and of a god they believed in for taking them away. Only time will tell.
Abby McGuire is beautiful, young, independent, strong-willed and god fearing, not to mention carrying around a heartache that she needs to let go. She is more than capable of filling the position of assistant to her father, but has decided she needs to take care of their home and her father. Her heart had been broken by a man who left her to marry another, a woman with more money and social standing than she has, or may ever have. A bitter pill to swallow, Abby soon realizes that it is for the best. Since Daniel left her for richer pastures, all Abby’s concentration is focused on taking care of her father and his medical practice. When the young doctor Pagett enters the picture, he becomes every eligible female’s dream of a husband. After saving the little boy from the part of Renew called Irish Mile, she couldn’t help but gnash her teeth as she watches all the women simper after him. If it weren’t for her mother’s bible and her strong belief in God, she wouldn’t have gotten through Daniel’s betrayal.
Finding out that the new doctor had grown up in a privileged life, compared to her simple one, is almost enough to lose the faith in the new feelings she’s started to have for him. She hopes her faith holds strong enough to withstand Hart’s disbelief, hopes she is not wasting her time. Abby wonders if she is able to compete with the rich widow who seems interested in Hart. Doctor Pagett and Abby are the same age and get along famously but there is one glaring gap, a great difference between them. Her belief in god is what keeps her sane and able to move on with her life such as it is, and he has long since lost his faith as she eventually finds out because of the death of his parents. She doesn’t want to fall in love with the young troubled man, but fall in love she has. But how will she to win his love if they both don’t see eye to eye about the god that created them? Will the strength of her faith and conviction in God be enough to hold Hart Pagett to her, or drive him away? Only time and a miracle will help her now.
The author Kelly Long is a gifted writer whose talent has brought the characters of Hart’s Truth to life. Hart Pagett has lost faith in God and refused to hear about believing in him and Abby is afraid to give love a foothold in her life. They both have a long ways to go in accepting what they can’t control. But will they both find what they are looking for? Will Hart ever accept that for everything he had lost, God will give back to him tenfold? For Abby, is she willing to love another again after being betrayed for money and status? Will Hart Pagett’s apparent wealthy status keep Abby from facing her love for him? What of Abby’s father? Will he be willing to accept help from another? Is there a chance for Abby and Hart to find the truth about themselves, and move on with their lives or will Hart’s stubbornness to believe in a god that he believes had taken everything away from him ruin what they feel for each other?
Hart’s Truth has you running the gamut of emotions that one can feel when reading this particular story. I liked this story because it kind of tests all of the emotions that a person can feel especially finally having faith and accepting a being that you had lost sight of for a long time. I keep finding myself hoping and praying that they will find a way no matter the odds. I hope that all of you who get a chance to read this will enjoy it as much as I have. Hart’s Truth will be available from Vintage Romance Publishing, LLC on April, 15, 2005 so look for it then
Enjoy the read!
Lynne
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