Two extraordinary characters. One unforgettable love story.

In the spring of 1941, young Jon Meyer’s family dies in a tragic accident, and he is sent to live in a small Indiana town. He arrives to find himself unwanted and shunned.

Mary Dahlgren is the mayor’s daughter. A pretty girl, she could have the pick of the boys in town, including Vernon King, the star of the vaunted high school basketball team. To the chagrin of her friends, though, Mary has always been more interested in books than boys. That is, until she meets Jon.

But Jon and Mary are kept apart through the efforts of Mary’s father, who perceives their relationship a threat to his political aspirations, and Vernon, to whom Jon is a rival for Mary’s affections. For months Jon is subjected to a painful ostracism. Then, just when the young man’s earnestness and perseverance begin to win over many of the townsfolk and it appears that love may conquer all, tragedy strikes.

As the country is caught up in war, so too are the young lovers swept up in events beyond their control, leaving both fighting for their very lives. If, against the odds, they are to be together, each will need to find the strength, the courage and the resourcefulness that beat only in a defiant heart.

“I loved this book so much. Set at the beginning of WWII, this is not normally a time period I gravitate to, but I just got caught up in it. It is a love story but the focus is mainly on Jon and on all the challenges keeping Jon and Mary apart. They have so much to overcome to be together. I may have shed a few tears. I recommend this for any fans of historical fiction or a love story that puts the couple through the wringer before letting them be happy.”

“Defiant Heart is emotional, gripping, poignant, appalling, and absolutely lovely. I love historical fiction, especially well researched, well written historical fiction. Defiant Heart certainly fulfilled all my expectations and then some!”

The son of a career air force officer, Marty Steere grew up on or near military installations across the country and overseas before settling in Southern California, where, when he’s not writing, he practices law. His first novel, Sea of Crises, was named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best of 2012.

Visit Marty on his website at http://www.martysteere.com/.