Courtney Danning traveled to Santa Fe to marry her dream man, Stanley Burgess. She did not know that her father, who opposed the wedding, hired Beau Hamilton to follow her and make sure she stayed safe. The day she married him, Stanley was killed and she was kidnapped; Beau, following behind, stole her away and took her back to her home. That’s when the problems started! Beau started to work for her without letting her know he was also working for her father. He seemed to always be around at the point where she needed to be rescued.

The things Stanley had told her the year they were separated; when she arrived, she found quickly that he had lied and nothing he told her was the truth. He was deeply in debt and she was unable to face most of the townspeople; they seemed to know more than they were willing to tell her. Ms. Petska used a myriad of emotions to tell this story and the reader (me) quickly becomes entranced in the ways Courtney’s stubborn attitude works to her advantage in surviving this disastrous beginning to her new life. p> Rebel Heart shows the struggles faced by both Courtney and Beau as they try to resist their attraction to each other while dealing with Stanley’s duplicity and the danger Courtney is in because of her sheep farm. Ms. Petska’s writings demand attention; she draws the reader to quickly become involved in this passionate story. This is a wonderful rendition of a different type which is a welcome addition to the historical romance genre. I believe that you will enjoy this story; I know I did!

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Mildly sensual

Reviewer: Brenda Talley
January 22, 2006