She traveled West to marry the man she lovesinstead found the man of her dreams.
In 1873, New York City heiress Courtney Danning shuns privilege and position to follow her heart to the fledgling community of Santa Fe. Widowed the same day she's wed, Courtney soon discovers her husband wasn't the only man awaiting her arrival. The stranger's indifference makes New Mexico's summer even hotter, but what she keeps hidden might be the key to the life she's always dreamed about.
He was hired to guard herbut forgot to guard his heart.
Ex-gunfighter Beau Hamilton's past and present are shrouded in mystery. From the moment Leif Danning hires him to watch over his pampered daughter, Beau fights his attraction. To win her love, he must find the courage to expose all, knowing the truth might become his worst nightmare.
A range war threatens
Struggling against their unbidden love, Beau and Courtney must protect themselves from everything trying to tear them apart. When the woman he's sworn to protect finds herself in the middle of a range war, will he send her back East and lose her forever, or will he do whatever it takes to defend hereven if it costs him his life?
Fiery and passionate.
Tami Brady, TCM Reviews
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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!
Brenda Talley, The Romance Studio
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Rebel Heart is an entertaining escapade set in the Wild West. The characters, both good and bad, are completely convincing. The banter between the hero and heroine was delightful and imaginative of what the old west must have really been like. Ms. Corti-Peska's novel was a pure joy to read.
Bonnie-Lass, Coffee Time Romance
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Rebel Heart is a wonderfully written historical, not only fascinating but kept this reader turning the pages. Courtney is a beautiful character that shows strength as she leaves home only to find herself in a troubled situation. Not willing to suffer defeat at her father's hands, she dives into staying and making a go of the ranch. Her strength is remarkable. Beau is a great hero who always comes forward and rescues Courtney while trying to keep his feelings at bay. Ms. Petska pens a delightful read with well-rounded characters and great dialogue that grabs the reader. She molds the character of Courtney as tenacious but once enduring her struggles, it really works to her benefit. I could almost feel the emotions that captured her when she found out the truth about Stanley and his deceit. This book is a great start to any day or evening. I love the cover art.
Linda L., Fallen Angel Reviews
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Jannine Corti Petska's REBEL HEART is an exciting story which I'm sure historical fans will love. Courtney may have been raised a proper lady but she rises to the occasion and isn't afraid of a little hard work to achieve her goals. Beau is a hardened man. He's lived a rough life and has been very careful not to get too attached to any woman -until now. I was fascinated by the undercurrent which was present throughout the book regarding the ranch and how Stanley obtained it. REBEL HEART is full of characters and situations which will have readers anxiously reading to learn what will happen next in this exciting story full of all the hope and passion I'd expect in a novel with a western setting.
~ Chrissy Dionne, Romance Junkies
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Author Jannine Corti Petska must have done a lot of research on sheep ranching to create such a beautiful and well written story. I only wish it could have been longer so Courtney would not have had to give in to her attraction to Beau so quickly. The main couple is very different from each other, but a perfect match. The author made sure that this is one pampered, but feisty, lady that readers cannot help but cheer for. Keep your eye on this author. I certainly will be. Jannine Corti Petska's future looks bright.
Detra Fitch, Huntress Reviews
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Rebel Heart features two passionate characters engaged in a battle of wills from the first moment they meet. Despite their different backgrounds, both Courtney and Beau have very similar personalities. Both share a determination, independence, and stubbornness that cause them to clash on more than one occasion. Though some of the action is left up to the reader's imagination, I still found myself anticipating the moment when Courtney and Beau finally give in to their attraction. Believe me, it's well worth the wait!
Jennifer, Love Western Romances
She smelled clean and wore a hint of flowery perfume. Honeysuckle or jasmine, he couldn't be sure. Mixed with the glistening perspiration beaded on her upper breasts, the scent was driving him to distraction.
He shifted slightly, cursing his body's swift reaction to the woman's nearness. From her expensively tailored dresswith folds of blue velvet on it, for God's saketo her gloved hands, he couldn't stop his eyes from roaming. He glimpsed her profile, strong, yet refined. She had a small nose and high cheekbones. In them he saw the stubbornness her father had spoken of. When her lips pursed, he had the sudden urge to taste them, to appease his curiosity. Were they as soft as they looked?
Damn. He should have said no to this job. Should have walked away the instant he saw her from her father's study window and gone back to doing what he did besttracking down men with insidious reputations. No matter what he'd told Danning, he was nobody's nursemaid. He had no business wasting his time on a spoiled woman who'd decided to go traipsing off to the West for love.
But that first image of her wouldn't leave his mind.
"Step over to the window, Mr. Hamilton," Leif Danning had said. "My daughter is all I have left; I need someone to protect her. Not that worthless Burgess. But she's too head-strong, needs a man who will tame her."
Beau crossed the room. When he glanced down at the woman talking to a stable boy from atop her horse, his breath jerked in unexpectedly. He narrowed his eyes, keenly studying her from head to toe. Her carriage bespoke money. No doubt about it, this filly was used to the finer things in life, to luxuries most women only dreamed of.
From that distance, he'd perused her waist-length hair, the silkiest and finest he'd ever seen. And the straightest, not a curl anywhere. It swirled about her upper body when she moved, glistening brightly beneath the afternoon sun. Her riding habit clung as though painted on her feminine curves. His breath had lumped in his throat, and a familiar stirring crept through his lower belly.
So now, fool that he was, he sat beside her on a train to Santa Fe.
Settling back into the seat, he tipped his hat forward to cover his face. With any luck, he'd sleep through the entire trip.
