Dueling Hearts by author Vickie McDonough is Book Three in her Windswept Weddings series. This is a Christian, historical romance that has some unexpected twists in it. Even though it is the finale, it may easily be read as a stand alone.

Set in Carolinas in the mid 1850s, before the Civil War. Normally I am not a fan of Southern plantation books, but this one was well done. The author was gentle and respectful in her handling of slavery. There are many life lessons and Christian lessons tucked into this inspiring tale. Characters deal with heartbreak, betrayal, forgiveness, and trust.

This is the story of Reed Bishop. He is the grandson of Cooper Reed from Book Two and a surgeon. It is also the tale of Carina Zimmer. She runs their struggling plantation by herself while her father stays drunk. With a major grudge against the Bishop family, Carina still mourns the death of her brother

The sparks fly between Reed and Carina. Unfortunately because of family issues and history they can only be frenemies. Or can they? The author takes us on their journey of faith and romance in this emotionally charged novel. A few surprises are tucked in to make the story even more interesting.The end snuck up on me and left me wanting more to tie all of the loose ends together.

I highly recommend Dueling Hearts. It is a lovely book and would make a nice reading group selection because of the various lessons it offers. I rate it a 4 out of 5 star rating. A complimentary copy of this book was received from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own, honest opinion.

About the Book

Book: Dueling Hearts

Author: Vickie McDonough

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: November 11, 2025

She blames him for her brother’s death, and he’s determined to make amends. But as family secrets and forbidden longing pull them closer, they must choose between pride and the chance to heal.

Carina Zimmer has spent years hating the Bishops for destroying her family. Now managing Tanglewood Plantation and caring for her bedridden father, she wants nothing to do with Reed Bishop—the man who killed her brother. But when Reed returns from medical school and begins treating the injured and vulnerable, Carina can’t ignore the compassion behind his actions or the growing pull between them.

Reed Bishop came home to start a medical practice and make amends for past mistakes. But when he treats an injured slave at a neighboring plantation, he comes face-to-face with Carina Zimmer—the sister of the man he believes he killed in a duel years ago. He never expected to fall for the fiery woman struggling to keep her family’s plantation alive. Yet every encounter with Carina challenges his guilt and deepens his desire to earn her trust.

As secrets surface and loyalties are tested, Carina and Reed must decide if love is worth risking everything—even the legacy of those they’ve sworn to honor.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Vickie McDonough is the CBA, EPCA and Amazon best-selling author of 54 books and novellas. Vickie grew up wanting to marry a rancher, but instead, she married a computer geek who is scared of horses. She now lives out her dreams penning romance stories about ranchers, cowboys, lawmen, and others living in the Old West. Vickie’s books have won numerous awards including the Booksellers Best, OWFI Best Fiction Novel Award, the Inspirational Readers’ Choice awards. When she’s not writing, Vickie enjoys reading, making cards, gardening, and traveling.

More from Vickie

While I was researching ideas for Dueling Hearts, my third book in the Windswept Weddings series, I stumble across some information about dueling in America. I hadn’t read a Christian book that had characters who were in a duel, so I thought that would be an interesting premise. Reed Bishop, my hero in Dueling Hearts, is the grandson of Cooper Reed from Secrets of the Heart. He finds himself forced into a duel on the eve of his leaving for Scotland to become a doctor. I’ll let you read the book to find out what happens.

Dueling in the United States had mostly been outlawed by 1850. The Broderick-Terry duel, fought in California in 1859, is often considered the last notable duel in the United States. U.S. Senator David Broderick and California Supreme Court Chief Justice David S. Terry engaged in a pistol duel near Lake Merced, resulting in Broderick’s death. Sadly, the two were once friends.

Here’s what Dueling Hearts is about:

She blames him for her brother’s death, and he’s determined to make amends. But as family secrets and forbidden longing pull them closer, they must choose between pride and the chance to heal.

Carina Zimmer has spent years hating the Bishops for destroying her family. Now managing Tanglewood Plantation and caring for her bedridden father, she wants nothing to do with Reed Bishop—the man who killed her brother. But when Reed returns from medical school a more mature man and begins treating the injured and vulnerable, Carina can’t ignore the compassion behind his actions or the growing pull between them.

Reed Bishop came home to start a medical practice and make amends for past mistakes. But when he treats an injured slave at a neighboring plantation, he comes face-to-face with Carina Zimmer—the sister of the man he killed in a duel years ago. He never expected to fall for the fiery woman struggling to keep her family’s plantation alive. Yet every encounter with Carina challenges his guilt and deepens his desire to earn her trust.

As secrets surface and loyalties are tested, Carina and Reed must decide if love is worth risking everything—even the legacy of those they’ve sworn to honor

Blog Stops

Pens Pages & Pulses, November 18

Holly’s Book Corner, November 18

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 19

Simple Harvest Reads, November 20 (Guest Review from Marilyn)

Texas Book-aholic, November 21

Lyssa Loves Books, November 21

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 22

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 23

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 24

Book Holds and Jello Molds, November 24

For Him and My Family, November 25

Devoted To Hope, November 26

Stories By Gina, November 27 (Author Interview)

Books Less Travelled, November 28

Cover Lover Book Review, November 29

The Mommies Reviews, November 29

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 30

Artistic Nobody, December 1 (Guest Review from Donna)

Pause for Tales, December 1

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Vickie is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/3dc73/dueling-hearts-celebration-tour-giveaway

Secrets of the Heart is book two in author Vickie McDonough’s Windswept Weddings series. This Christian historical fiction is a sweet romance. It is set in 1810 South Carolina and gives readers a glimpse of what life was like for a southern lady back then.

It is the story of Hannah and “Adam”. She discovered him recovering in the barn and is determined to nurse him back to health. He has sustained an injury and lost his memory. There is some secret involved with him that provides a mystery.

The characters are well developed and relatable. I enjoyed the author’s style of writing. It brought me into the story and lives of the characters. She had a faith element and lesson woven in nicely.

I recommend this beautiful story of caring and trusting God to readers that enjoy historical romance. Even though it is Book Two, it may easily be read as a standalone. It receives a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. A complimentary copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: Secrets of the Heart

Author: Vickie McDonough

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release Date: October 7, 2025

A Southern belle nursing a wounded stranger must choose between family duty and a love that defies everything she’s ever known.

Hannah Madison’s life is comfortable, well-ordered, and safe. She knows what to expect. Including her mother’s plans that Hannah marry Jamie Reed, the heir to the neighboring plantation. But her sheltered life is disrupted when she stumbles upon a seriously injured stranger in the Reeds’ barn. He seems to need her help. As she nurses him back to health, Hannah is drawn to the handsome man with amnesia that she calls Adam. And as her feelings for him grow, Hannah must decide whether to follow her heart or honor her family’s expectations.

Adam remembers nothing prior to the day he met Hannah. Nothing of his true identity or the dangerous secret he carries. All he knows is he can’t help falling for his graceful and kind caretaker. But when his memories return, he’s faced with an impossible choice— pursue his love for Hannah and betray his family, or sacrifice his own happiness to preserve his family’s unity.

Can Hannah and Adam find the right path when duty and love collide?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

More from Vickie

Most of my writing career I’ve been an author of western historical fiction set in the late 1800’s, but a visit to Charleston and Savannah while on vacation, stirred up a desire to write in a different time period. I was born and raised in Oklahoma, a state that is only 118 years old. I was quickly enchanted by Charleston’s rich history and fell in love with the centuries-old homes and cobblestone streets.

While in Charleston, my husband and I toured an antebellum plantation called Drayton Hall, which was built in 1738. It’s located on the Ashley River about 15 miles northwest of Charleston. Touring the magnificent old home gave me lots of fodder for a new series set in South Carolina. For instance, did you know that ballrooms were often located on a third or fourth story because you could get better cross-breeze which made the temperature a bit cooler, and it was less likely that mosquitoes would plague the guests on the upper floors.

Secrets of the Heart is set 22 years after Mutiny of the Heart, book 1 in my Windswept Brides series. When I sat down to begin writing Secrets of the Heart, the only thing I knew for certain was that I wanted to continue the story of the Reed family. I had thought the book would be mostly Jamie’s story, who was a young boy in the first book in the series, but the story took an expected turn. I ’ve always like forbidden love stories, where the hero and heroine seemed destined to be together, but everything is working against them. I had to add that to my story.