On the Frontier

Faith, belonging, and the courage to stay when leaving would be easier

Guest Post by Heidi Gray McGill

About the Author

If you had asked me before the 2020 lockdown where I would spend my days, I would not have said late-1800s Missouri. I certainly would not have guessed I would feel so at home among frontier families shaped by hard labor, deep convictions, and the daily work of holding one another together when life offers no simple answers.

And yet, here I am.

Somewhere between barns and kitchen tables, sickrooms and fence lines, I found a world that feels familiar in all the ways that matter. The frontier was a place where people worked until they finished the job, said what they meant, and trusted God whether or not the trail ahead was easy. Faith was not something you explained. It was something you lived, often quietly, often without applause.

I write Christian historical fiction because I believe the strongest faith stories are rarely tidy. They are not polished sermons. They are lived out in ordinary places by people who keep showing up, even when it costs them something. Stories have always been one of God’s favorite ways to remind me who He is and who we are becoming, usually one hard-earned step at a time.

About Keeper of My Heart

Jimmy Reeves heads west and completely out of his comfort zone.

A trained pharmacist from the East, he arrives in post–Civil War Missouri with intention, not certainty. He wants to learn from Robin Manning’s Arapaho knowledge, to understand healing that cannot be found in bottles or textbooks, and to figure out whether faith can be practiced instead of merely studied. Jimmy is thoughtful, reserved, and deeply uncomfortable with chaos, which makes the frontier a challenging classroom.

Cecelia Shankel has never questioned where she belongs.

She was raised strong, shaped by land that demands work and by people who rely on her steadiness. Cecelia does not become capable through crisis; she was formed that way from the start. Strength, to her, is not something to explain or defend. It is simply how the day gets finished.

When grief, responsibility, and an unexpected affection draw Jimmy and Cecelia together, neither is looking for romance. What they find instead is something quieter and more demanding. Trust built through presence. Love proven through action. And the slow realization that sometimes God’s calling is not about escape, but about choosing to stay.

Keeper of My Heart is a slow-burn Christian historical romance featuring an opposites-attract pairing, an emotionally wounded hero, a capable frontier heroine, found family, and the quiet tension that grows when two people learn to carry responsibility together.

The Heart of the Story

Jimmy’s journey is about learning to stand when everything in him wants order and certainty. Cecelia’s is about learning that strength does not mean standing alone. Together, they discover that God often works through ordinary people who simply refuse to walk away from what has been entrusted to them.

For readers who believe God still meets us in the middle of work, weariness, and unanswered questions, this story offers a reminder. You are not late. You are not alone. And faithfulness still matters.

A Final Word

If you enjoy stories where faith shows up in the ordinary work of living, I hope Keeper of My Heart feels like the end of a long day on the porch, when the noise settles, the light fades, and something steady asks you to stay a while longer and listen.

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The Sacrifice of Christ

And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2).

Have you ever thought of how great a sacrifice it was for Jesus to leave the splendor and perfection of heaven to come to earth as a babe and grow up surrounded by the sinfulness, problems, and hardships that abound here? He came, knowing that He would be reviled, persecuted, and ultimately nailed to a cross.

On that cross, the physical pain would have been excruciating, but there were other sacrifices as well. All at once, this perfect, sinless man took on the sins of everyone who had ever lived or would ever live. I can't even imagine what a dark, heavy burden that must have been. How painful that must have felt, yet it didn't stop there. In that moment, God turned away from Him.

He had never been without the Father, but suddenly, God the Father left Him. Talk about being abandoned and alone! And he endured that separation so that we would never have to. His abandonment purchased our acceptance and belonging. His suffering opened the way for our salvation. When we pause to consider the depth of His sacrifice, it should tell us how much we are loved and bring us to our knees to accept Christ as our Savior and live for Him.

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Westerns

Is the Western novel making a comeback? Some would say it never left, but there's no denying it lost mainstream popularity after the 1960s. Its golden age stretched from the 1930s to the mid-20th century, when Westerns dominated popular American fiction and helped cement the mythic image of the American frontier. Bestselling authors like Zane Grey and Louis L'Amour dominated the field, and then came radio programs, movies, and television shows.

Author Karen Witemeyer wrote in a blog post, "Have you noticed that the western is making a comeback? In commercials, at least." Although the commercials she's referring to are usually parodies, they still remind us of the many reasons we love Westerns in the first place. Fans don't just read these stories; they feel them. The genre taps into something deep and enduring. The wide-open spaces of the frontier and possible dangers stir the imagination. There are often clear moral stakes: good vs. evil, justice vs. lawlessness, and duty vs. survival. 

The hero is usually a rugged, honorable individual who isn't perfect but either learns his lessons or tries his best. There might be gunfights, standoffs, feuds, and survival challenges. This genre is built for drama, and it delivers. People know that the real West was messy and complicated, but the mythic West is irresistible anyway. With cowboys, outlaws, sheriffs, and frontier towns, we have a cultural dreamscape. Westerns explore loyalty, revenge, redemption, and love with a kind of emotional directness that many of the modern genres shy away from.

I can attest to the genre's appeal. My own Westerns remain extremely popular among readers. Pictured to the left are just a few of the ones I've published. They outsell all my other books, except perhaps the ones set in the Appalachian Mountains in the 1800s. But as my husband likes to point out, those stories read very much like Westerns, too. What do you think? Is the Western making a comeback? And if they are, how do you feel about it?

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Take Time for People

And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? (Matthew 20:32).

Jesus never rushed past people. Scripture shows Him repeatedly pausing His journey, His plans, and even His rest to meet the needs of those around Him. He made time for people, and He gave them His full attention. If we desire to walk as He walked, we must cultivate that same willingness to slow down and see the people God places in our path. A hurried life rarely leaves room for compassion.

One of the best ways to live this out is by intentionally setting aside time with God each day, just as Jesus did. He often withdrew to quiet places to pray, refocus, and realign His heart with the Father’s will. When we begin our day with God by Bible study and prayer, we become more sensitive to His leading and more aware of the opportunities He places before us. This spiritual margin strengthens us to love well and serve well.

We can also build a practical margin into our schedules. If a trip normally takes thirty minutes, plan for forty-five. If a meeting begins at noon, arrive early enough to greet others, listen to them, and be present. These small adjustments create space for divine appointments—moments God uses for us to encourage, comfort, or help someone. And when we’re with people, let’s be fully with them. Undivided attention is a powerful gift in a distracted world, and it reflects the heart of Christ, who always made time for people. Let us take the time to love the way He did.

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On the Road to Jericho

I currently have 92 books listed on Amazon, including three Christian nonfiction. On the Road to Jericho was the first of these. From the Top of the Mountain to the Bottom of the Sea came next, telling of Elijah and Jonah and the lessons we can draw from them. My most recent nonfiction release is Satan's Wiles, and I have another planned for 2027 that will focus on all of the 40 days or 40 years mentioned in the Bible.

On the Road to Jericho centers on the final journey Jesus made from Galilee, traveling south through the Jordan Valley, passing through Jericho, and pressing on to Jerusalem. The climb from Jericho would be rugged, steep, and traditionally wrought with danger. As He ascends toward the Holy City, He will be welcomed amid palm branches and cheers, yet the celebration will quickly give way to betrayal. He will be arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, stand trials, and suffer crucifixion at Golgotha. 

Knowing that the end of His time on earth is drawing near, Jesus’ teachings are especially deep and rich. He wanted His followers to be ready for the tests and trials to come because they would need understanding to carry on His work and proclaim the gospel message across the world. This is a good book to read around the Easter season. Not only does it chronicle Jesus' last days, but it teaches some of His most poignant, meaningful lessons. So come along on the journey, discover what Jesus wanted His followers to understand, and let your heart be touched in a special way.

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A Street Called Straight

And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth (Acts 9:11).

The Lord is speaking to Ananias, but there's a rich layer of symbolism here. Saul had been a fiercely zealous Jew, convinced he was serving God by persecuting Christians, whom he saw as dangerous heretics. But in reality, he'd been walking a crooked path and departing from God's will. Now, after being confronted by Christ on the Road to Damascus, Saul is finally guided onto the straight path where he needed to be and where God could use him.

Scripture repeatedly calls us to choose the straight way. Jesus spoke not only about the straight path but also the strait or narrow one:

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it (Matthew 7: 13-14).

Here are some more verses to consider:

I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight (Isaiah 45:2a).

They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them. I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble . . . (Jeremiah 31:9).

And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed (Hebrews 12:13).

Therefore, we are called to choose the straight, narrow path that leads to God, even though few are willing to walk it. Instead, the world and Satan beckon us to take the wide, winding, well-traveled road that leads to eventual destruction. The wide one may look more inviting, but you won't have Jesus to accompany you on it like you will on the narrow one, and it doesn't lead to heaven. Choose wisely.

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A Bit of the Irish 

I thought, with St. Patrick's Day tomorrow, this would be a good time to highlight a few of my books that feature Irish characters. Since I'm 35% Irish myself (or should I say "meself"?), it's no surprise that a touch of Ireland finds its way into my writing. While several American characters have Irish roots, only one of my protagonists actually hails from Ireland: Sean Murphy from With Summer's Songs. Part of the novel takes place aboard a cruise ship, and Sean serves as one of the officers.

In Going the Extra Mile, Meghan Scott's family emigrated from Ireland and settled in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. Some family members even held onto their Irish accents. Meghan now lives on a mountain in Ashe County with her uncle, until he turns up dead. When a pastor arrives at her door after nearly freezing to death, he becomes an unexpected ally in unraveling the mystery behind her uncle's murder.

Annette's Assignment is also another mystery with an Irish connection. Annette Hunt's sharp mind leads her cousin to recruit her for a contest designed to gather the most intelligent people in Chicago, an unconventional strategy to help him solve the case. One of the other contestants is an Irishman, Flynn O'Leary, who brings his own charm and intrigue to the mix.

And then there's Ryan O'Grady, the hero of Ingrid's Intention. Ryan is also an Irish newspaper reporter who occasionally covers the women's rights movement, and that's where they meet. Although he isn't a supporter of the movement, he's far more open-minded than many of the other men. Ingrid agrees to help him tell the story accurately, and their partnership grows. Since March is also Women's History Month, this novel fits the season in more ways than one.

In Mistaken Bride, Cullen Green shares the story of how the town of Redbud, Arizona, got its name. “An Irishman with a head of red hair founded this town,” Cullen began his story. “In fact, most people called him ‘Red,’ although his real name was Fion Walsh. In honor of the town’s fifth anniversary, he had a tree-planting ceremony and planted this redbud. The town has pampered it ever since.”

These are just some of my books where the Irish make an appearance in one form or another. I love writing about Irish characters. When I traveled to Ireland, I was struck by their indomitable spirit, their ability to laugh at themselves, and their warm, friendly personalities — qualities that are a joy to bring into my stories. Check them out and have a wonderful Saint Patrick's Day.

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A Generous Giver

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall also reap bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:6-7).

Jesus taught us to give, He praised giving, and He practiced it Himself. When we give with the right attitude, God responds with His own generosity. His blessings may not always come in material form, but they always come in a way that matters. Just as no farmer gathers a harvest without first sowing seeds, we cannot expect spiritual fruit without a willingness to give.

The early church modeled this beautifully; they gave to those in need. Paul records several occasions when churches took up collections to support struggling congregations elsewhere. Some of these churches had little themselves, but they still gave. Their generosity wasn't based on abundance; it was based on love.  Some pastors today have noted that if modern churches followed the same pattern, society's need for welfare programs would shrink dramatically.

What kind of giver are you? Do you give joyfully, reluctantly, or not at all? Do you give only when it's convenient, or do you give according to the leading of the Holy Spirit, trusting God to supply what you need? Generosity isn't measured by the size of the gift but by the heart of the giver. Look at the story of the widow's mite in Mark 12:41-44. When we give cheerfully, seeing it as an opportunity and not a burden, we reflect the character of Christ who has never stopped giving to us. May we sow generously, live open-handedly, and trust God to use our giving to bless others and shape us into people who look more like Jesus.

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye met withal it shall be measured to you again (Luke 6:38).

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 A Special Opportunity

Readers who live within driving distance of Fort Mill, SC, have a unique opportunity coming up. The Fort Mill Public Library will be hosting a multiple-author book signing on April 18 from 10:00 a.m. until noon, and the lineup includes some truly outstanding writers. How would you like to meet and talk with Robert Whitlow or Misty Beller?  And they're not the only ones. Many other talented authors will be there as well, giving you the perfect chance to discover a new favorite.

I know I'm especially excited since Misty Beller is one of my all-time favorite authors. I have forty-four of her books, and I'll be there. I can't wait to finally meet her face-to-face. Events like this don't come around often. Can you imagine a library filled with authors and readers having a great time? There will even be some fantastic prizes and giveaways. So, mark your calendars now. This is one special event that you won't want to miss.

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Maturing Faith

When I was a child, I spake as a child… but when I became a man, I put away childish things (1 Corinthians 13:11).

When I taught school, achievement test scores were designed to factor in a student's expected growth for the year. If a student didn't make that progress, they fell behind. Christian life works much the same way. We're meant to grow in our faith--what Scripture calls maturing.  Spiritually standing still doesn't reflect a committed walk with Christ. Spiritual immaturity will also make deception easier, especially the closer we get to the last days, when there will be many who deceive.

Several factors reveal how mature a Christian is. Some of the most important ones include:

1. Depending on the Holy Spirit. He is your guide, teacher, mentor, and intercessor. His power enables you to be far more than you could ever be on your own.

2. Studying, knowing, and applying the Word of God. Reading the Bible daily is not only where you learn how to live the Christian life, but it's also where you get to know God. How can you love, respect, and honor someone you don't know well? Scripture shapes your thinking, corrects your path, and anchors your faith.

3. Growing requires transforming, and the needed changes are made. You forgive people quickly, both because God has forgiven you for so much and because unforgiveness hurts you more than anyone else. When you identify weak areas in your walk of faith, you ask for help and make changes.

4. Praying often. Prayer is one of the greatest tools you have as a Christian. It allows you to approach the Throne of God with humbleness but with confidence, bringing any concerns, thanks, and praise. Set aside at least one intentional time of prayer each day, but also pray throughout the day, both when you see a need and to thank and praise God.

A mature Christian doesn’t arrive at perfection, but they do keep moving toward Christ and strive to be more like Him. Growth is intentional. It shows up in the choices you make, the habits you build, and the way you respond to God’s leading. As Paul wrote, "He who began a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." But we must cooperate with that work. Keep leaning into the Spirit, staying rooted in Scripture, choosing forgiveness, and living a life of prayer. When you do, your faith becomes steady, strong, and ready for whatever lies ahead. And it keeps growing.

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).

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Western but Not in the West

My husband reads very little fiction that isn't Western. When I first started publishing in 2015, he didn't want to read my first novels because they weren't set in the Old West. After some deliberation, he agreed to try one set in the Appalachian Mountains. To his amazement and delight, he said that it read much like a Western. He's read every one of my books since.

Coming from an Appalachian heritage, I understood exactly what he meant. The two cultures share a surprising number of similarities. Both are shaped by an indomitable spirit and a rugged determination. Both have long histories of making do with limited resources and improvising when needed. Family, whether by blood or choice, has always been a priority. Living close to the land and nature, many times in places with unique beauty, often deepens an appreciation for and reliance on God. Many smaller traits fall under these larger themes, creating a sense of kinship between regions. Even scenes can echo one another. Take this circa 1910 photograph of Spruce Pines, North Carolina, in the Appalachian Mountains. Doesn't it look strikingly similar to an Old Western town?

Perhaps growing up in the Appalachians is one of the reasons I've written so many Westerns. Of the ninety books I currently have listed on Amazon, nine are predominantly set in the Appalachian Mountains, and forty-six take place in the Old West. I love both regions and plan to continue writing in both. If you'd like to explore my books, you can find them here:  https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00SIFWZLG/allbooks

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 Integrity

"Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful (Luke 6:36).
“… but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing (1 Peter 3:9b).

Think about the people you admire. What are the traits that cause you to respect them? More than likely, it’s things that have to do with integrity. Integrity is one of those intangible concepts that’s hard to explain, especially since this one includes a lot of different facets. Accountability, authenticity, being ethical, character, consistency, contentment, fairness, generosity, godliness, honesty, humility, moral strength, respecting others, responsibility, trustworthiness, etc. Really, most good traits can fall under the heading of integrity.

“For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil (1 Peter 3:12). 

We can’t be close to God if we have unrepented sin in our lives. It separates us from God. But when we repent, God is quick to forgive and restore us. Having a close, personal relationship with God is one of faith’s great blessings. As we get to know and love Him, we understand His Word and trust Him too much to fear. In that state, who can really harm us? No matter what happens, we feel safe in God’s arms, knowing that even if we die, we will be in His presence. With such an attitude, we are a strong testimony for God, showing non-believers the hope and strength that is within us because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. When we submit to the will of God, our consciences are clear. We will study His Word, wanting to know more about Him and to experience more of Him. This also makes us good witnesses.

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (John 16:33).

We know that in this world, there are going to be trials and troubles. It’s part of living in a fallen world. But even in the midst of problems, we can have peace, because true peace doesn’t come from easy situations; it comes from God. Peter experienced both suffering and peace. In one incident, he suffered great mental anguish after he walked away from his integrity, put his eyes on the circumstances again, and denied Christ after He was arrested. Matthew 26:75 tells us Peter went out and wept bitterly. Yet he went on to become one of the steadfast, faithful leaders of the early church. He learned these lessons of remaining true and having integrity the hard way. Peter was an overcomer. In Christ, we can be overcomers, too, and we can begin by relying on the Holy Spirit and choosing to live as a person of integrity.

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 A Special Series within a Series

Usually, when I write in a multiple-author project (MAP), I publish standalone books like most of the other authors, even if I write several in that collection. However, occasionally, I connect the novels and have a continuing setting and characters. This was the case in the Western MAP, The Matchmaker - Agatha Returns. All six of my books in the series are set in Pinyon Falls in the Texas Hill Country. Also, the main characters in one book become secondary characters in the following ones, so the reader doesn't lose touch with them. And because the last one has already been published, you can read them all in order without having to wait.

A Match for Marshall features Marshall Walker and Callie Jones. Callie goes to Texas as a mail-order bride for Marshall, but she comes from a poor, itinerant-farming family in South Carolina, and she wants nothing to do with him when she finds out he's a rancher. Marshall talks her into staying around and giving him a chance. Now, if he can just show her that he's responsible and can provide well for her.

In A Match for Cord, Cord Atwood is Marshall's foreman, but he wants to start a horse ranch instead of working on a cattle ranch. Once his ranch is underway, he sends for a mail-order bride through the same matchmaker Marshall used. Moriah Williams has always been sought after for her exceptional beauty, so her parents pick the richest man for her to marry, but he's not the sort of man she wants for a husband. She decides to run away and ends up matched with Cord. The first words out of his lips when they meet are "You're beautiful," and she freezes. She doesn't want another suitor who just wants her for her looks and doesn't see who she really is. 

Silas Barrett is a blacksmith, like his father, in A Match for Silas, and he's lonely. He sends for a mail-order bride, asking for a bride of simple means who will appreciate a good home and steady husband. His mother had left because she didn't like the lifestyle of a blacksmith, and he wants to avoid the same situation. Who does the matchmaker send him? A woman from high society. What can a lady like Jacqueline Hamilton see in a dirty blacksmith?

In A Match for Merle, Vanessa Acker has never been able to find a husband because she isn't well-liked. People see her as bad-tempered, forward, and sometimes too flirty. She's watched some of the men in Pinyon Falls sending for mail-order brides, so why shouldn't she send for a husband? When Merle Warner arrives, he is nothing like she'd hoped for. He isn't compliant or easily manipulated. But just when he's growing on her, an English nobleman comes to town. Merle can't offer her the benefits of being a real English lady, but things might not be as they seem.

Widower Milton Cauley is the barber in Pinyon Falls. His first marriage hadn't been a happy one, no matter how hard he tried, and he plans to remain single. However, his friend has other ideas and sends away for a bride in his name. When Lauren Page arrives, Milton is furious. The widow might be lovely, but how dare Leon! See how it all plays out in A Match for Milton.

When Adrianne Clark witnesses a crime in Chicago, the mob involved starts looking for her, and she knows she needs to leave the city. She doesn't have the money, so she goes to a woman she knows for help. Agatha Sinclair turns out to be a matchmaker and arranges for Adrianne to go to Pinyon Falls, Texas, to marry the sheriff there. Who better to protect her than a lawman? Meanwhile, Reece Felps has always felt that a lawman's job was too precarious to marry. However, as he's matured, he still longs for a family, and in a weak moment, he writes to the matchmaker others in town have used. Yet, when he learns that she's on the run, he wonders if she wants to marry him or just escape a bad situation. A Match for Reece ends the series with all of the main characters getting together for a holiday party at the end.

I loved writing the books in this series, and readers have continued to show their appreciation for them, too. Spending time in Pinyon Falls with these characters feels like visiting with old friends and making new ones. If you're looking for an intriguing historical series filled with heartfelt romance, small‑town charm, and characters whose stories intertwine in satisfying ways, this may be your answer. Settle in, visit Pinyon Falls, and enjoy the journey.

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 A Christian Lesson from India

Charles Spurgeon is often quoted as saying, "There is no such thing as secular; all is sacred." Whether or not those are his exact words, the sentiment reflects his teaching: every part of life belongs to God, and every moment is lived before Him. I learned something similar from my summer in India on a Fullbright-Hays scholarship. Hindus consider their religion to be a part of who they are and their everyday lives. Many families keep shrines in their homes dedicated to the god the family chooses to honor, and Hindu temples with their priests are common in almost every large neighborhood.

I knew the Ganges River is considered the "Mother of India" because it personifies the goddess, Ganga, a life-giving figure. Pilgrims travel from all over the country to bathe in its waters. So when I visited it at Varinasia early one morning, I expected to see it being treated as a sacred shrine. What I didn't expect to also encounter were people brushing their teeth, washing their hair, and doing their morning exercises by the banks of the river. Hawkers even sold their wares from rowboats.

The Indians live with an acute awareness that everything they do is done before their gods. I came home, reflecting on this and decided to make the one true God who loves me so deeply a part of my daily life, too. If there was something I couldn't do in His company, then I shouldn't be doing it at all. That simple shift drew me closer to Him and changed my life. It's a better way to live -- more rewarding, more fulfilling, and far more peaceful. My experience in India also reminded me that God can use the most unexpected places and things to teach us profound Christian truths. He wants us to live every moment in His presence, and we're much happier when we do. 

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