This is a new book by a new author, Meghan’s Choice by Donna L. H. Smith, the first in Ms. Smith’s “A Known by Heart” series. After being rejected by a man she thought she loved, her father demands that she work for a year. So Meghan determines to do just that–anywhere but St. Louis.

Soon she moves to New Boston, Kansas to tutor eight children in a wild Kansas railroad town. It doesn’t take long for her to experience the danger in this town. In addition, she quickly catches the eye of a dark, handsome cowboy, as well as an attractive doctor. Which one will win her heart?

In all honesty, I have to say that Meghan is not my kind of main character, (this has nothing to do with the author or the writing, just my personal taste). Therefore it took me a few chapters to really start to care about what happened to her. However, I did take quite an interest in one of the two men who were vying for her attention, and the other intrigued me–that was enough to keep me reading. Of course, I am also partial to stories set in the historic west.

I found this to be a sweet story with a couple of disturbing surprises. Throughout the book, I met many interesting characters and learned some interesting Kansas history. I also found a couple of characters to root for.

Meghan’s Choice is a delightful debut novel from a new author. I look forward to following Donna L. H. Smith on her writing journey.