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Embattled Hearts
Originally a novella in The Pony Express Romance Collection
August, 1861
After her mother’s death, Alannah Fagan is left in the care of a brutal stepfather. When he demands that she marry his youngest son, her only hope is to escape. Together with Conn Fagan, her younger brother, she flees their westbound wagon train with no plan other than to survive.
Stewart McCann left northern Virginia behind to take the stationmaster job at the Pony Express’s Horseshoe Station in Wyoming territory at the start of the Civil War. He has struggled with that decision ever since. When he discovers a battered young woman and her brother, he is once more thrust into the midst of a fight.
Can two wounded hearts—with the help of a one-eyed Pony Express mount—support each other when faced with decisions that could cost them both dearly?
August, 1861
After her mother’s death, Alannah Fagan is left in the care of a brutal stepfather. When he demands that she marry his youngest son, her only hope is to escape. Together with Conn Fagan, her younger brother, she flees their westbound wagon train with no plan other than to survive.
Stewart McCann left northern Virginia behind to take the stationmaster job at the Pony Express’s Horseshoe Station in Wyoming territory at the start of the Civil War. He has struggled with that decision ever since. When he discovers a battered young woman and her brother, he is once more thrust into the midst of a fight.
Can two wounded hearts—with the help of a one-eyed Pony Express mount—support each other when faced with decisions that could cost them both dearly?
- GenresHistorical Fiction
110 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2020
32 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Pegg Thomas
29 books620 followersPegg Thomas lives in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with Michael, her husband of *mumble* years. She creates American stories with real history and fictional characters inspired by her ancestors who immigrated here in the early 1600s.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 25, 2022
Wyoming Territory August 1861
Sweet frontier novella featuring Alannah, who was running for her life with her younger brother and Stewart, host of a Pony Express Station. Although brief, there was quite a bit of action in the pages as Alannah fled and hid from her abusive step father. Loved the details about the Pony Express in the Afterward.
Sweet frontier novella featuring Alannah, who was running for her life with her younger brother and Stewart, host of a Pony Express Station. Although brief, there was quite a bit of action in the pages as Alannah fled and hid from her abusive step father. Loved the details about the Pony Express in the Afterward.
August 24, 2021
Embattled Hearts by Pegg Thomas
Embattled Hearts takes us on the trail alongside Alanna Fagan and her younger brother Conn into a vast wilderness as they flee seeking refuge. Is there such a place in the wilderness? A Pony Express Station seems like an unlikely place of shelter but may be an answer to prayer. Stationmaster Steward McCann soon has his hands full with more than Pony Express riders and changing stagecoach horses. However, there are more surprises in store for them all.
The times we live in now are so very different than that of the Pony Express rider days. Even so, in Embattled Hearts we are taken back to a time when Pony Express riders flew across the wilderness from station to station at break-neck speeds, hardly resting long enough to change horses. Pegg Thomas gives such detail in the historical elements of the time, I feel as though I was walking alongside Alanna and the other characters in the story, I could almost feel the dust in my teeth. I like that the characters are true-to-life, have challenges, heartaches, joys, and love just as we do and I appreciate the faith elements woven within the storyline in a realistic way. There is adventure for the adventure lover, suspenseful moments, with some humorous situations that had me chuckling—one regarding a horse, that is all I am saying. A heartwarming story.
~I read this story in the Pony Express Romance Collection~
Embattled Hearts takes us on the trail alongside Alanna Fagan and her younger brother Conn into a vast wilderness as they flee seeking refuge. Is there such a place in the wilderness? A Pony Express Station seems like an unlikely place of shelter but may be an answer to prayer. Stationmaster Steward McCann soon has his hands full with more than Pony Express riders and changing stagecoach horses. However, there are more surprises in store for them all.
The times we live in now are so very different than that of the Pony Express rider days. Even so, in Embattled Hearts we are taken back to a time when Pony Express riders flew across the wilderness from station to station at break-neck speeds, hardly resting long enough to change horses. Pegg Thomas gives such detail in the historical elements of the time, I feel as though I was walking alongside Alanna and the other characters in the story, I could almost feel the dust in my teeth. I like that the characters are true-to-life, have challenges, heartaches, joys, and love just as we do and I appreciate the faith elements woven within the storyline in a realistic way. There is adventure for the adventure lover, suspenseful moments, with some humorous situations that had me chuckling—one regarding a horse, that is all I am saying. A heartwarming story.
~I read this story in the Pony Express Romance Collection~
February 9, 2022
My favorite part of writing this book was the Pony Express horse named Cyclops. I modeled him after my son's first horse, a retired black thoroughbred named Jason. Jason had both eyes, but his personality comes alive in Cyclops. It's a great way for me to remember a very special horse who graced our family with his presence for many years. I always enjoy writing animal characters, because I enjoy them and because people lived closer to animals in historical times, so it adds a layer of authenticity to my books.
Embattled Hearts was originally publishing as part of The Pony Express Romance Collection.
Embattled Hearts was originally publishing as part of The Pony Express Romance Collection.
January 16, 2025
Sweet novella by an excellent author.
April 27, 2022
Just a fun novella. Always hard to get a believable plot in so short a story, but they're always a go to if I don't have a ton of time for a bigger novel.
November 14, 2020
If you're already a fan of author Pegg Thomas, you'll be more of one after reading Embattled Hearts. A historical romance with a believable plot, engaging characters, and page-turning bliss. A very enjoyable read. Highly recommended.
October 9, 2022
Historical Romance and the Pony Express
Great Christian read. Pegg Thomas writes novellas that are as well thought out and enjoyable as any full length book. The Characters in her books are some one I would really like to meet.
Great Christian read. Pegg Thomas writes novellas that are as well thought out and enjoyable as any full length book. The Characters in her books are some one I would really like to meet.
December 28, 2023
Sweet
A simple, straightforward romance with nasty villains, worthy heroes, and an almost instant-love between our main protagonists.
Delightful, heartwarming, and highly recommended
A simple, straightforward romance with nasty villains, worthy heroes, and an almost instant-love between our main protagonists.
Delightful, heartwarming, and highly recommended
December 29, 2020
Fantastic story! A story that involves the Pony express was made this a fun read. I was pulled into this story early on and before I knew it was finished. A story of abuse and danger keeps the readers heart fully engaged. The romance is sweet and clean fueled on by a need to protect. Gods love and protection and the need for him is ever present in the story. A warm and endearing story.
March 12, 2021
This was a very good book. I loved Stewart and Alannah. I felt for Alannah and her justified distrust of men, and I liked her unlikely friendship with a horse named Cyclops. I loved the way Stewart stood up to Alannah’s stepfather. I would recommend this book.
September 15, 2025
The action, suspense, critters, and chemistry make this book stand out.
The chemistry between Alannah and Stewart is strong. He feels the need to protect her and is drawn to her stubborn fiery spirit. Alannah hasn't known many guys besides her father who treats a woman with respect. And yet she feels drawn to Stewart and his character. So much to love in this and the faith Stewart has rekindles Alannah 's. I also have to mention the animals.
There is also a dog and more than one horse, but Cyclops is the number one critter in this book. He is so sweet at least to Alannah. That one eyed horse steals every scene he is in.
If you are a fan of Penny Zeller's western books then you need to give this one a shot.
I MOST HIGHLY recommend this book
The chemistry between Alannah and Stewart is strong. He feels the need to protect her and is drawn to her stubborn fiery spirit. Alannah hasn't known many guys besides her father who treats a woman with respect. And yet she feels drawn to Stewart and his character. So much to love in this and the faith Stewart has rekindles Alannah 's. I also have to mention the animals.
There is also a dog and more than one horse, but Cyclops is the number one critter in this book. He is so sweet at least to Alannah. That one eyed horse steals every scene he is in.
If you are a fan of Penny Zeller's western books then you need to give this one a shot.
I MOST HIGHLY recommend this book
October 20, 2025
Great book!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews