Book Review of 'Desire of My Heart' by Heidi Gray McGill

Happy Wednesday Bookworms!

I am so excited you're here with me today as I am featuring a novel from a wonderful series that I started midway through but I was able to go back to the beginning to see how it all started. I hope you enjoy my thoughts on this Christian Historical Fiction and don't forget to scroll to the bottom of this post and enter the amazing giveaway from JustRead Tours.

Desire of My Heart JustRead Takeover + Review Blitz

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Desire of My Heart by Heidi Gray McGill hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Desire of My Heart

Series: Discerning God's Best #1

Author: Heidi Gray McGill

Publisher: Heidi Gray McGill Books, LLC

Release Date: June 1, 2021

Genre: Christian Historical Romance with a Western (Louis L'Amour) touch

No matter how dark her night became, Rachel knew God promised joy in the morning.

1858, Missouri. Rachel faces an uncertain future as she approaches adulthood in the orphanage. With few options and a looming arranged marriage, she risks everything, escaping with her younger brother to avoid a future she never chose.

But when she encounters Melvin, a grieving widower with two young children, her life takes an unexpected turn. Desperate for help and willing to offer Rachel refuge, Melvin proposes a marriage of convenience. Together, they create a family rooted in faith, love, and resilience, navigating the joys and heartaches that bind them.

Just as hope blossoms, a tragedy tests their strength and trust in God, but with a supportive community and unwavering faith, they find a way forward.

Desire of My Heart is a stirring journey of redemption, resilience, and God’s unfailing love. For fans of Misty M. Beller, Lacy Williams, and Linda Ford, this standalone novel in the Discerning God’s Best series will capture your heart. Discover a love story built on faith, hope, and the promise that even the darkest night can lead to a brighter dawn.

Series in Order:

1. Desire of My Heart

2. With All My Heart

3. Matters of the Heart

4. Healing of the Heart

5. Written on My Heart

Prequel: Deep in My Heart (Free with newsletter signup at heidigraymcgill.com/free_book)

Available on Kindle Unlimited, with discussion questions for book clubs included!

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon

My Review

Desire of My Heart is a perfect start to a series I’ve already fallen in love with. I’m really bad about reading a series out of order, and since I’ve previously read a few books from the Discerning God’s Best series already, it was nice to see how a community I’m already familiar with began.

The attention to detail in this story is exquisitely executed by the skillful hand of Heidi Gray McGill, who has an immense talent for orchestrating vivid worlds with the stroke of her pen. I felt like I was there with the Trexlers as they navigated their new life and a new frontier together.

One thing that I did not expect was this story to be so tragic! It started out so happy and hopeful, and just like in real life, it threw an emotional curveball that hit me right in the gut. I can’t fathom the grief and pain that Rachel endured, but what really struck me is the overwhelming fear in that moment of such a sudden loss. I had to stop reading and ponder what I would do if that happened to me.

Thomas is such a sweet little ray of sunshine, and I had a smirk on my face every time he was in a scene. He helps balance the levity of loss nicely and provides that little ray of hope when things seem bleak. Grammie was also a favorite with her strong faith, wisdom, and positive attitude. Honestly, this character-driven novel is full of captivating and lovable characters.

The ending is truly touching, and since I’m not one for spoilers, I won’t give any details, but I must say, talk about leaving a legacy! This series is so wonderful, and now that I know how it all began, I love it even more. It’s so well-written and provides a plethora of emotions and wisdom that shows what faith lived out looks like. This was such a wonderfully calming, at times heartbreaking, but always hopeful story that I am thankful that I had the opportunity to read.

My Rating: ★★★★★

More Books from this Series

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Be sure to check out my other reviews of books by Heidi Gray McGill

About the Author

Heidi Gray McGill is a celebrated author whose award-winning Christian fiction transports readers to the rugged landscapes of the past, where faith and fortitude reign supreme. With a talent for crafting historical and contemporary tales, Heidi has penned nine compelling books, each filled with resilient characters navigating the wilds of life with God’s love as their guide.

Heidi’s writing is as bold and purposeful as the untamed West itself. She began her literary journey in March 2020. She quickly became a beacon of inspiration, weaving stories that echo the timeless themes of redemption, courage, and the transformative power of God’s love and forgiveness. Much like the pioneers of old, her characters face adversity head-on, offering readers a chance to journey alongside them, discovering healing and insight through God’s Word.

Living in a quaint town near Charlotte, NC, Heidi shares her life with her devoted husband of over three decades. When she’s not crafting stories of grit and grace, she treasures moments with her family, especially her grandsons, and finds joy in cooking, playing games, and exploring new worlds through books.

Join Heidi on her inspiring journey into the heart of the American frontier and beyond. Visit HeidiGrayMcGill.com to discover the transformative power of God’s love woven into her stories. Connect with her on social media and sign up for her newsletter to receive a free prequel to her bestselling series.

Christian Fiction. Relatable Characters. Life-changing stories. Fusing Faith and Fiction™

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive an ebook copy of Desire of My Heart and With All My Heart!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight May 28, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on June 6, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Open internationally. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!