Publisher: Penfield Press (April 15, 2013) Category: Historical Fiction, WWII, General Fiction Available in: Print and eBook, 385
Set against the backdrop of small town America on the eve of World War II, Defiant Heart features two extraordinary characters and one unforgettable love story.
In the spring of 1941, young Jon Meyer’s family dies in a tragic accident, and he is sent to live in a small Indiana town. He arrives to find himself unwanted and shunned.
Mary Dahlgren is the daughter of the town’s mayor. A pretty girl, she could have the pick of the boys in town, including Vernon King, the star of the vaunted high school basketball team. To the chagrin of her friends, though, Mary has always been more interested in books than boys. That is, until she meets Jon.
But Jon and Mary are kept apart by an insidious campaign orchestrated by Mary’s father, who perceives their relationship a threat to his political aspirations, and Vernon, to whom Jon is a rival for Mary’s affections. For months Jon is subjected to a painful ostracism. Then, just when the young man’s earnestness and perseverance begin to win over many of the townsfolk and it appears that love may conquer all, tragedy strikes.
As the country is caught up in war, so too are the young lovers swept up in events beyond their control, leaving both fighting for their very lives. If, against the odds, they are to be together, each will need to find the strength, the courage and the resourcefulness that beat only in a defiant heart.
My Thoughts:
This book is a real page turner and I read it into the wee hours of the morning because I couldn’t put it down. My heart broke for Jon. He was in a car accident with his mother, father and brother. He was the only survivor. At only 15 he was sent to small town Indiana to live with his 80 year old grandmother. He had never met her before because she was estranged from her daughter, Jon’s mother. It was a cold welcome for Jon, she wasn’t outright mean to him at first but certainly not welcoming.
Jon also received a cold welcome at school and was in turns beat up and then ignored. The only one who seemed to notice him was Mary.
I can’t tell you anymore because I would risk giving spoilers. I warmed up to Jon very quickly. He was quite a lovable character. This book has a little of something for everyone. It is a coming of age, drama, historical fiction, suspense, romance, love story, WWII, and literary fiction story.
The characters are well developed and is the plot. Marty Steere’s descriptions of time and place resonated as true to me. I felt like I was a character in the book observing everything that happened first hand.
This book is destined to become a classic! Highly recommended!
5/5
About Marty Steere:
The son of a career air force officer, Marty Steere grew up on or near military installations across the country and overseas before settling in Southern California, where, when he’s not writing, he practices law. His debut novel, Sea of Crises, was named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best of 2012.
Thanks to Marty, I am giving away one copy of Defiant Heart. This giveaway is open worldwide. Those living in the U.S. can choose either print or ebook. Those that live outside of the U.S. will receive the ebook version. Please use Rafflecopter to enter.
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