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It’s hard to hear God’s voice when you’ve already decided what you want him to say.

In the wilds of the rugged West, Betsy Smith discovers beauty in every corner—from the blazing sunsets to the wind murmuring secrets through the mountains. Yet, it’s the magnetism of Gabe Manning, with his dark complexion and dashing demeanor, that draws her gaze. Having known him since childhood, Betsy sees in Gabe the embodiment of the heroes she admires from her a stalwart protector of the innocent, a champion of justice, a man of unshakable integrity, and a paragon of honor, guided by principles as steadfast as the mountains themselves— all while reconciling with his Arapaho Indian heritage. Yet, amid her admiration, Betsy longs for God’s reassurance that Gabe is the one for her.

As deputy of Shumard Oak Bend, Missouri, in 1875, Gabe “Little Sun” Manning sees the allure and harshness of frontier life. Amidst the chaos, he finds solace in the presence of Miss Betsy Smith, a compassionate schoolteacher whose independence and intellect captivate him as profoundly as her beauty. Yet, as their bond deepens, Gabe wrestles with doubts about his ability to fulfill the desires of her heart. He knows she’s willing to forsake her career for a future with him, but can he offer her the family she seeks? Haunted by the secrets of his past and desperate for redemption, Gabe faces his most formidable challenge yet.

Written on My Heart is a powerful Christian Historical Romance full of resilience, redemption, and the enduring power of the human spirit. In award-winning author Heidi Gray McGill’s fifth installment in the Discerning God’s Best series, you’ll be transported to a world of wild-west adventure and heartwarming romance.

For Misty M. Beller, Lacy Williams, and Linda Ford fans, this standalone novel in the Discerning God’s Best series will capture your heart and leave you breathless. You’ll love this book if you enjoy gripping historical drama and compelling characters. Binge-read the entire series on Kindle Unlimited.
• Full-length Christian historical fiction
• A standalone novel in the Discerning God’s Best series
• Includes discussion questions for book clubs
• Timeline: 1875–1876
• For fans of Misty M. Beller, Lacy Williams, and Linda Ford

Book One: Desire of My Heart
Book Two: With All My Heart
Companion Christmas Novella: Stitched On My Heart
Book Three: Matters of the Heart
Book Four: Healing of the Heart
Book Five: Written on My Heart
Book Six: Keeper of My Heart – Preorder now
Prequel: Deep in My Heart – available for free with newsletter signup. Search Heidi Gray McGill to locate her website.

Thank you so much for having me! I love sharing a peek behind the curtain—it reminds me that stories aren’t just written, they’re lived a little first.

What is something interesting readers would enjoy learning about you?

That’s a fun question—and one I don’t always think to share! I’m visually impaired—legally blind—but I still have a few degrees of peripheral vision remaining. With corrective lenses, what I see is relatively clear, but it’s like looking through a toilet paper tube. I only catch a small section of my screen at a time, which makes writing a bit of an adventure!

My mouse is a quarter-inch wide with a long tail so I can find it again when it wanders off—because, trust me, it does. Technology helps, of course, but more than that, God gives me the creativity and perseverance to keep doing what I love. Writing isn’t just possible—it’s purposeful. And if He’s called me to it, He’ll equip me for it… even if I sometimes have to squint and scroll a little extra to get there.

What makes up your ideal reading environment?

I love this question because it makes me wish I had a picture-perfect reading nook with a cozy blanket and uninterrupted time. But in reality? My ideal reading environment usually includes a pair of earbuds and something that needs doing—laundry, cooking, cleaning, walking… you get the picture. Audiobooks are my go-to, usually at 1.25x speed, and they’ve become my secret weapon for turning everyday tasks into something I actually enjoy. It’s how I reward myself for getting things done. A good story makes even scrubbing the kitchen sink feel a little more magical.

What was your favorite scene to write in this story? And why?

There’s a tender scene after Gabe is injured—after all the dust has settled—where Betsy sits beside him while he’s unconscious, and her heart finally cracks open. She’s raw, afraid, and unsure of what comes next. But instead of pushing Gabe away, she reaches for his hand. And here’s the beautiful part: he’s awake, but doesn’t let her know right away. He just lets her hold on.

Writing that moment undid me.

It wasn’t dramatic. No declarations or sweeping gestures. Just quiet presence. Betsy whispered, “You scared me.” Gabe’s stillness. Her fingers wrapped around his, hesitant but clinging. It was one of those sacred pauses in a story—where the characters aren’t posturing or trying to impress—they’re just real. Broken. Honest. Present.

That scene mattered because it marked the shift. They stopped trying to protect themselves from being hurt and instead chose to be seen. Gabe, always strong and steady, let Betsy glimpse his frailty. And Betsy, who had felt so alone, finally allowed herself to lean into someone else’s strength. It’s the kind of moment I believe genuine love is built on—not fireworks, but faithfulness.

And as a writer, that scene reminded me why I do this—to explore the quiet, soul-deep healing that happens when we let go of fear and choose to trust, one fragile step at a time.

What unique research was required to write this story?

One word: bandages. Seriously! I had to learn how frontier medicine worked, especially for things like bullet wounds, infections, and pain management in the 1870s. It was both fascinating and terrifying. No antibiotics, no anesthesia—just grit, herbs, and prayer.

But one of the most in-depth pieces of research I did for Written on My Heart was on lead poisoning. Gabe, my hero, suffers long-term effects from working grueling hours in the Rolla Mines. I wanted his symptoms to be subtle yet realistic—fatigue, irritability, body aches—things that would wear on a man quietly over time but never fully stop him from doing his duty. It was important to me that readers could feel his strength, but also see the toll his past had taken on him physically and emotionally.

I also dove into Gabe’s Arapaho heritage. I wanted to honor his background with care and accuracy, so I studied historical context, cultural traditions, and language to weave those elements into his identity in a meaningful, respectful way. He’s a complex man navigating two worlds, and every detail mattered in telling his story with authenticity.

What was the inspiration behind your story?

That’s a question I love answering, because Written on My Heart was born out of something deeply personal to me. I know what it feels like to live in the in-between—to navigate life in a way most people don’t see or fully understand. Being visually impaired has shaped how I experience the world, and how others perceive me. In many ways, I’ve had to learn—like Gabe and Betsy—that my identity isn’t defined by what others assume, or even by what I can’t do, but by what God sees in me.

I wanted to write about someone caught between two worlds—someone who didn’t fully belong in either and yet was essential to both. Gabe’s story grew from that longing to find identity when the world says you don’t fit. Betsy’s journey—her struggle to be more than what others assume she is—mirrored that.

And together, their story became one of finding not just love, but purpose and place. At its core, Written on My Heart is about how God writes value and worth into our stories, even when we don’t see it ourselves. That truth isn’t just something I write about—it’s something I’ve lived.

What encouragement do you hope readers will take away from your story?

If I could sit across from each reader and share just one thing, it would be this: you are seen—fully, deeply, completely—by a God who loves you without condition. That truth is at the heart of Written on My Heart.

Gabe and Betsy both wrestle with feeling not enough. They carry wounds that whisper lies—about their worth, their identity, their place in the world. And like so many of us, they have to make a choice: listen to those lies, or lean into God’s truth.

My prayer is that readers walk away from this story reminded that their past, their limitations, or what others expect of them doesn’t define their identity. It’s found in the One who created them, redeemed them, and calls them His own. God’s love is never halfway. It’s not based on performance. It’s a love that stays. A love that restores. A love that writes worth into every chapter of our lives—even the ones we wish we could skip.

That’s the encouragement I hope lingers long after the reader turns the last page.

Thank you so much for having me on your blog. It’s been a joy to share not just the story behind Written on My Heart, but the heart behind the story. I’m grateful for the chance to connect with your readers and pray they walk away encouraged—knowing their story matters because the Author of life is still at work in every chapter.