This second of the series still has plenty of Paisley and Cade, but the focus is now on Dr. MacNamara and new character Miriam. Miriam is fleeing west because of some serious issues in her past, which are gradually revealed as the story progresses. Gideon is tired of being alone, and plans to marry, via a mail-order bride service. He asks for a woman who is a nurse, figuring that even if it’s not a love match, at least she’ll understand the demands of his job. But Miriam wasn’t told about the marrying part. Imagine her shock when, on her arrival in town, she’s taken straight to her wedding! Of course, the townspeople are not very pleased with her when she rejects their beloved doctor.

However, Gideon still needs a nurse, and he reluctantly hires Miriam to fill that role, even though she won’t be his wife. She turns out to be very capable at her job, and eventually townspeople warm up to her.

Even when Gideon learns her secret, he respects Miriam’s strength and intelligence. But when someone from her past arrives in town, ready to bring her back, they both have to face their feelings for each other.

I think this is my favorite of the three books in this series so far. I just really appreciated Miriam’s character and her desire to be seen past her hidden disability. As in the previous book, the townspeople are an interesting cast of characters. It’s always nice in series like this to see all the characters continue to develop.

Possible Objectionable Material:
Descriptions of injuries and medical treatments. A little violence. An overbearing parent. One character has dementia, another has PTSD.

Who Might Like This Book:
Those who like books set in the West during the Westward Expansion. Those who enjoy towns with quirky characters. Fans of strong female characters who remain compassionate, even in adversity.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book is also reviewed at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2023/02/romances-from-past.html

This was a cute story with a good mix of intrigue and romance. I thought it was going to be a marriage of convenience, but it was still good just more of a slow burn. I really liked how protective he became of her throughout the book and how.she was able to grow to trust him.

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.

Another winner from Sarah Eden. Miriam is such a strong character, I rooted for her through the whole book. It's so hard to think about the lack of rights women had in those days.

This is another great book by Sarah M Eden! I love that this book takes place in Savage Wells, Wyoming in 1876. Wyoming is near and dear to my heart. I love how it is based in a small town. This series is amazing!

This was a sweet read! I liked seeing characters from the previous story. It was nice to find out more about Gideon this time. Miriam is a wonderful addition to the town. Her secret was very well handled. I enjoyed seeing the two interact.
The antagonist was also well written (truly awful, but in a way that didn't make him a caricature).

"Happy endings are too few to not be celebrated"

The depth of emotions in this book was incredible. I keep thinking I've finally read my favorite Sarah M Eden book, then she tops it with something like this, so incredible and wonderful that I'm blown away! I could not put this book down and stayed up way too late to finish it (but it was SO worth it). This story had a powerful message that illness, especially mental or chronic illness, does not diminish the worth of a person. That message is so timely and is near and dear to my heart! I loved the hint of mystery and intrigue and the character growth. This was a book that dealt with the topics of lunacy, insane asylums, and debilitating physical conditions. Although these subjects were handled wonderfully, I would hesitate to recommend this book to less mature readers. I'd rate this book PG-13, only because of the mature topics that were addressed. Even with this, the romance was sweet and clean. I loved the quirky and lovable town, the relatable characters, and the quotable text of this book. This is definitely a book I'm going to read again and again!

This book is absolutely, heart breakingly beautiful. It's lush and gorgeous and full of specific period detail that lends the entire story an air of richness and reality. Lovely!

I really enjoyed this historical fiction romance because of the intricate and somewhat diabolical storyline that starts with a misunderstanding and turns into a horror show for poor Miriam who thinks she’s been hired as a nurse only to find out that she’s been brought to town to marry the local doctor. When she refuses to do so, she’s left with very few options and because she’s refused the most admired man in town she’s stranded there and treated like public enemy number one. I loved this pair from the start of their painfully awkward meeting and just like these two characters I was captivated by every glance and awkward touch between them. I really enjoyed learning about their patients and the medical practices of this time period too. My favorite part of the story is the metamorphosis of the citizens of Savage Wells who start out shunning Miriam only to fall as deeply in love with her as Gideon does. I read a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley and all opinions expressed in my voluntary review are completely my own.

This was a great book! I enjoyed the romance, while it wasn't as steamy as I normally like them. But with this novel, being clean or not as steamy, worked for this book. And the twist at the end was definitely unexpected! I thought that was great that it was something I didn't expect! I'm glad books can still surprise me! I really want to read the first book in this series now that I have read this one! I want more of this world! It was really well done and well written!

Oh wow this book was really good. I enjoyed reading it. I am so sorry for my late review of this book. It was trully amazing srory. It was my first read by this author and maybe I should've read her previous work but over all I loved it. Gideon was such an amazing character and I fell in love with him so eazy. Great story.

Wow!! Sarah M. Eden is totally one of my all favorite authors!
I just loved The Sheriffs of Savage Wells and I was eagerly awaiting for Healing Hearts so that I could read Gideon's story!
I fell in love with him since the first book, and now I'm totally enamored of him.
Gideon knows that his marriage prospects are slim in Savage Wells, being the only doctor, and that the women there are, either too old, too young, or already married. So he finally decides to opt for the mail order bride system, and while at it, asks for a nurse who would be the perfect companion.
Miriam is excited about going to Savage Wells to work as a nurse to assist the town's doctor. But she's dismayed when she realizes that the doctor is expecting her to marry him as well. She'll have none of it, of course. But her news come as shock to the town folks and she finds herself outcast in the town she was supposed to start a new life.
Thankfully, Gideon is a kind and compassionate soul, and he offers her the job as a nurse, without any other compromise attached. As they start to work together and they get to know each other, their bond and feelings begin to grow too. Will Miriam accept that this can the true love that her heart has been searching for?
This is a beautiful story about love that starts on the wrong foot, but that friendship and honesty will hopefully lead them into so much more soon. I won't spoil the story for you. I'll just say that it was really sweet and even quirky at times. The characters were so endearing, witty and humorous at times, and strong in moments of need.
Gideon was a true gentleman and I loved his kind and patient nature. Miriam was strongminded, but equally kind and compassionate.
I also loved to see the lives of a doctor and a nurse in times when there was no technology. They were always so dedicated and heroic (they still are), and circumstances were rougher too.
It was a beautiful story, and I loved to get to know more about the rest of the characters of Savage Wells which were already especial to me. Hopefully we will still get more books about some others. I'd love to know if Andrew will ever get his HEA.
I highly recommend this book to historical romance lovers. It will definitely not disappoint and you'll fall in love with the town of Savage Well and its endearing characters.
I received a copy of this book from Shadow Mountain Publishing via NetGalley. This is my voluntary and unbiased review.

I first read Sarah M Eden's book "Loving Lieutenant Lancaster" and enjoyed it, so was keen to find more of her work. "Healing Hearts" is totally different from my first read. Set in 1876 Wyoming, my mental pictures were based on what I recall from watching Little House on the Prairie back in my childhood.

This tale twists and turns as gradually more of Miriam's tormented past is revealed. I knew from the start that her notepad was an "item of interest" as a detective would say.
I think I might actually be in love with Gideon - the caring doctor who seems to be able to do everything from playing the cello to camping out.

The close-knit town of Savage Wells includes a host of quirky characters who bring life to the surrounds of the "main story" which is in-fact a love story but with a bumpy start. Passion but not the corset ripping type. As the end of the book approaches, you will be tempted to read faster and digest less, to find a conclusion.

This book would appeal to historical fiction lovers, those with nursing interest and those who love a good old love story. A very enlightening read in relation to the mental health thinking of the time.

Thanks to Shadow Mountain for the chance to further explore Sarah M Eden's books. I can see myself hunting out more, especially the Savage Well's series.

I’ve been waiting for a long time to read something by Sarah Eden for quite a while now. I was really intrigued by this story from the very beginning.
It’s really hard for me to find books that draw me in from the start. I loved this book! I think that the cover was beautifully well done.
The romance was just amazing!

The plot was solid,entertaining, and well thought out. I fell in love with both of the main characters which is hard to do with some books.

I was so delighted by this book and I hope to read more by Sarah Eden really soon! I loved reading this novel and I was engrossed by every word. I highly recommend this book!




*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.*

Nurse Miriam Bricks is excited when she gets off the stagecoach in the small town of Savage Wells, Wyoming. She is thrilled to be starting her life over as a nurse to Dr. Gideon MacNamara. However, things don’t go quite as smoothly as she thought they would. Instead of Dr. MacNamara meeting the stagecoach, the entire town is there and leads her to the schoolhouse. This is where Dr. MacNamara is waiting to make her his bride.

Dr. Gideon MacNamara was tired of living alone and his prospects for finding a local bride were dwindling. So, he purchases a mail order bride, but he’s humiliated when Miriam refuses to marry him. In fact, she didn’t even know she was a mail order bride. She thought she accepted a nursing position. The entire town quickly turns against her.

Stranded in a strange town, Miriam doesn’t know how she will survive. She’s more than shocked and delighted when Gideon offers her a real nursing position. She happily accepts, although the town is very slow to accept her in their fold, she has high hopes she will change their minds.

As Miriam and Gideon grow closer, things suddenly turn horrible for Miriam. Her past catches up with her and comes to Savage Wells. She is filled with fear and dread. Gideon is determined to find out what the real story is. All he knows is that Miriam has become an important part of his life and he’s not about to let go of her.

Although this is the second book in the Savage Wells series, it stands on it’s own. This story is about Gideon and Miriam. Other characters make an appearance, but you don’t have to read the first one to appreciate this one. I didn’t read the first one and enjoyed this one very much.

Healing Hearts is a touching romance with a dash of humor and mystery mixed in. It, also, features a few serious topics such as abuse and medical illness. I was totally transported into the time era and right into the town of Savage Wells.

My heart broke for all that this couple had to endure. They are two people readers can really come to care about. The author did a great job of drawing me in and keeping me hooked until the last page. I’ll be on the look out for more books by Sarah M. Eden.

Dr. Gideon MacNamara doesn't have many marriage prospects in Savage Wells, Wyoming, so he advertises with the Women's Bureau for a wife with nursing experience.



Miriam is hoping for a fresh start, but when she accepted the job in Savage Wells she didn't know that she was also accepting a marriage proposal. Gideon offers her a job as a nurse at his office, but the town's people won't have anything to do with her. But as she and Gideon work together, she sees what a great doctor he is, but will her secrets keep her from finding love?



Companion to Sheriff of Savage Wells, this is a stand alone read, but there are many overlapping characters which I was pleased to read about.



Gideon is a great doctor who really cares about his patients, he is a fair man, and as he gets to know her he admires her, but senses that she is keeping a secret that could get between them.



Miriam is hardworking and looking for a new start, the towns people don't like her because of her rejection of the doctor, but as time goes on she slowly earns their trust. Miriam is brave and dedicated to her work.



Gideon has a great group of friends among the towns people surrounding him, they encourage him and provide many moments of humorous banter. This is a well written romance, with great interaction between the characters. The beginning definitely hooked me in with a unique situation. I enjoyed this book and how it showed different conditions and how they were historically dealt with, definitely worth checking out!



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

So good!

Sarah Eden has done it again! I love this author, and this newest book doesn’t disappoint! The romance between Gideon and Miriam is exactly the sweet, suspenseful romance we’ve come to expect from Eden.

Plus, there’s medicine involved (a favorite of this nurse!!)! Gideon is a conscientious doctor, Miriam is a nurse with a secret, and the town faces a medical emergency. What could be better? Add a legitimately bad guy and lots of secrets, and you’ve got a great story. I’d put this book on par with her Regency romances (my absolute favorite of her series) and have already recommended it to other readers. Good job, Ms. Eden!

PG for light romance and intense situations
—no sex
—no language
—little violence

I was offered this ebook free through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.

I love stories that take place in the Old West, and Savage Wells, WYO makes me think of what my father's hometown, Green River, WYO might have been like in the same era. This book also intrigued me because of the medical aspects. The practice of medicine was so different then and the knowledge that they were lacking could be heart breaking. I like stories of strong women, and Miriam certainly fits that bill; going out west on her own to try to hide her former life and start over new. It was fun to follow her growing relationship with Gideon even though she turned down his initial proposal. I loved the way the town came to love and protect her. A heart-warming story in the end.

As clean reads go, Sarah M. Eden is one author I know I can’t go wrong with. And Healing Hearts has touches of everything I love about Eden’s books—a small town, history, romance, a sprinkle of intrigue, and a smattering of humor.

Miriam arrives in Savage Wells, Wyoming expecting to start a nursing position but instead finds herself at a wedding. Her wedding. Dr. Gideon MacNamara (aka the groom) is unlike any of the men Miriam has known and as they work together, Miriam learns that this particular man has a very good heart.

Eden gives readers a book that not only takes them through the highs and lows of falling in love but also a commentary on the misconceptions and mistreatment of those whose heath issues were misunderstood at the time.
Travel to 1876 Wyoming with Miriam and meet the loyal townspeople of Savage Wells who will draw you in with their caring hearts and protection of those they consider their own.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Another great book by Sarah M. Eden. Thankfully, I'd read The Sheriffs of Savage Wells just a month before starting this one, so all the town's colorful and quirky characters were still fresh in my mind. It was fun being back in the small faraway town of Savage Wells, Wyoming again.

Poor Miriam arrives in town thinking she's going to be the nurse for the town doctor, but everyone in town knows that Gideon (the town's doctor) sent for a mail-order bride and they're ready for a wedding. The truth is, the mail-order bride service was less than truthful with her and Miriam didn't know anything about being someone's bride!! Let's just say the townspeople are NOT happy that Miriam left Gideon at the altar. Gideon, although jilted again, offers Miriam a job as his nurse so someone with medical knowledge will be in town when he has to travel to the smaller outlying areas. The residents of Savage Wells don't trust Miriam after what she did to Gideon, but she can't afford to fail at this job opportunity and her kindness slowly starts to win some of them over.

Gideon and Miriam both have things in their past to overcome. Gideon has had his heart broken before, and Miriam has a very difficult past--people that should have stood by her and protected her failed to do so, and she suffered greatly because of it. Because of all Miriam has gone through she's kind to those others may see as "less than". These two are so good for each other.

The romance between Miriam and Gideon builds slowly through them working together. I loved how the town stood up for her when her "past" came to light and she was threatened once again. There are so many great parts in this story, it had me feeling all kinds of emotions as I read it. I'm glad it all worked out for everyone in the end, and Gideon and Miriam got their happily ever after.

Thanks to Shadow Mountain and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

First sentence: Miriam Bricks sat in the cramped and rancid interior of a rickety stagecoach and contemplated for the hundredth time how fortunate she was to be there.

Premise/plot: The hero of Healing Hearts, Dr. Gideon MacNamara needs a wife and a nurse. Neither are easy to come by in Savage Wells, Wyoming. He's sent away--mail order--for a woman who's willing to be both. Miriam Bricks is a qualified, experienced nurse. She's more than willing to be his nurse--even to cook his meals--but she's not prepared to marry him--or anyone. Will Dr. MacNamara make the best of a bad situation? YES, yes he will. What he learns about Miriam is that she's a FANTASTIC nurse. She's just as skilled treating patients as she evading questions about her past. What is she hiding from him? from everyone? Will her past come back to threaten her?

My thoughts: I really LOVED this one. It is set in Wyoming in 1876. It definitely has an Old West vibe to it--which I adored. I loved the getting-to-know-one-another aspect of their relationship. As much fun as it would be to have a marriage of convenience turn into the real deal story...this one was oh-so-satisfying. This pacing makes complete sense for Miriam. And it just felt completely right. I also enjoyed meeting the other residents of Savage Wells. And some of the visitors as well! (I know this is book two in a series, but I never once felt lost.)

I would definitely recommend this one. I was thrilled to be a part of the blog tour for this one!