Thawing the Frontiersman's Heart CelebrateLit Tour {book review and giveaway}

About the Book

Book: Thawing the Frontiersman’s Heart

Author: Andrea Byrd

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: August 25, 2026

A missing father. A deadly storm. And a stranger who may be more dangerous than the wilderness.

Kentucky Territory, 1785
Roisin Duncan has spent her life guarding secrets—her father’s failing mind, her own quiet eccentricities, and the fear that one misstep could see them both locked away like the aunt she lost. But when her father disappears into the wilderness caves he loves, Roisin has no choice but to venture beyond the safety of her carefully controlled world. Caught in a brutal snowstorm, she finds refuge at the cabin of Jared McFadin—a man as scarred on the outside as he is within.

Haunted by war, Jared has built a life of isolation on the edge of his family’s land, convinced he is more danger than protector. But when a desperate young woman arrives at his door, he cannot turn her away.

As they search the treacherous caverns and race against time to find Roisin’s father, the greater danger may not be the wilderness, but the fears that have kept them both imprisoned. To survive, Roisin and Jared must risk what they’ve guarded most—their trust, their hearts, and the fragile hope that love might be stronger than their weaknesses.

Perfect for fans of Lori Wick and Janette Oke.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Andrea Byrd is a small-town wife and mom from southern Kentucky who harbors a deep love of days gone by, expressed with pioneer skirts and a once-in-a-lifetime ride in an authentic biplane. She seeks to respect the past, giving voice to those that came before, while reminding readers that no aspect of their past defines them.

My Thoughts

Even though Thawing the Frontiersman's Heart is the second book in the "Wilderness Romance" series, it can be read as a stand alone.

The Kentucky wilderness setting is descriptive, which makes it easy to picture in one's mind. Jared and Roisin are relatable with all their flaws and imperfections.

Jared suffers from physical scars and PTSD from his time as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Because of the physical scars and the nightmares he suffers, he's resigned himself to life without a family of his own.

Roisin, with her OCD tendencies, cares for her father whose mental capacity seems to be fading away. She is also resigned to a life of no husband and children of her own. But then when her father wanders off and she has to search for him in bitter winter conditions, and meets Jared, who in gallant manner, helps her search for her father, their lives become intertwined in unexpected ways.

I can relate to Roisin's fear for her father. My mother had dementia, and her mother had Alzheimer's. I know how hard that slow fade is. And I struggle somewhat with PTSD myself (not from war, but from other traumatic experiences).

If you enjoy historical fiction, with a touch of faith, you will want to add this one to your TBR list.

I received a complimentary copy through Celebrate Lit and these opinions are my own.

More from Andrea

Prior to becoming officially recognized by the American Psychiatric Association in 1980, PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) went by many names including Combat Fatigue, Shell Shock, and Soldier’s Heart. However, none of these categorizations even came about until the Civil War.

When considering the horrors faced by the soldiers that fought for our freedom 250 years ago, though, there is no doubt that it would have had a lasting effect on the mental health of a great number of men. And yet, during the Revolutionary War, the only term used for any kind of anxiety or sleeplessness amongst soldiers was simply Nostalgia.

But we all know that PTSD is extensively complicated, rather than simple homesickness. Not only can it bring flashbacks and nightmares, but it can cause hypervigilance, insomnia, and considerably more. It affects a person’s thoughts, behavior, mood, and overall quality of life.

In this Wilderness Romance series, and particularly in Thawing the Frontiersman’s Heart, I strove to give readers a small glimpse of what this might have looked like for the Revolutionary War soldiers to which we owe so much.

I pray that it serves to bring awareness to the struggles that many men during the time likely faced in darkness, without recognition or support. And I hope that you enjoy both Jared and Roisin’s stories as they each strive to find freedom from the confines of their own minds.

Happy Reading!

Andrea Byrd