HONOR’S PLEDGE, by Kristen Heitzmann. Bethany House Publishers (Minneapolis, Minn., 1998). 286 pp.

Reviewed by Angela Pometto
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the issue of 9/30/04)

Set in the beautiful Colorado Rockies in the post-Civil War era, Honor’s Pledge, the first in a series by Kristen Heitzmann, tells a gripping story about a young woman searching for love. While her character is as rugged as the terrain of her home, Abbie Martin finds that her heart can be broken. The well-crafted story is not only engaging, but it illustrates the virtues of respect, love and honor. Heitzmann proves herself an excellent fiction writer and a name to be trusted by young Catholic readers.

Abbie’s search for love brings two immediate suitors: her lifelong friend, Blake McConnel, and a stranger from the South, Montgomery Farrel. While Blake is her oldest and dearest friend, she can’t get over her fascination with Monte. What starts out as a light-hearted romance story, quickly changes to a story of suffering, sacrifice and heartache. Abbie, Monte and Blake are all forced to make important decisions that affect one another’s futures.

Abbie, especially, bears much emotional suffering from the events that unfold. But through it all, she trusts in God to see her through: "But God had proven more than strong enough. What had Father Dominic told her? Where the heart is willing, God will provide the strength."

Heitzmann, a member of St. Patrick Parish in Colorado Springs, Colo., knows it is difficult to witness to people in daily life, but her stories promote faith and build up the body of Christ.

"I write because I’m compelled to," said Heitzmann. "That is my main ministry — to reach hearts through stories."

Heitzmann believes God has given her the ideas for her stories. While she tried to ignore them for many years, once she started writing, she didn’t stop. Many of her story ideas come through dreams.

Honor’s Pledge, Heitzmann’s first book, begins the "Rocky Mountain Legacy" series that focuses on Abbie and her adventures in the Rockies. Since then, Heitzmann has written two series and five stand-alone books. Her first eight books are historical and set in Colorado, but her later books go beyond the state and into a contemporary time period.

When approaching a new setting or time period, Heitzmann researches before she writes. She has been known to travel around the country to get a feel for a place and talk to the people who live there.

When she first started writing, Heitzmann didn’t know much about the business. She attended a writing conference and was able to pitch her story ideas to several publishing companies. The one that finally picked her up, Bethany House, is a Christian publishing house based in Bloomington, Minn.

In Honor’s Pledge, Heitzmann incorporates a Christian message through a mission run by Catholic priests. The missions are historically accurate and are a subtle way to bring Christ into the story. While Heitzmann’s books vary in setting, time period and genre, they all carry a Christian message that is a rare commodity in young adult fiction.

"I’ve been really blessed to be able to write," Hetizmann said. "The Lord has given me a chance to have a voice for Him."

Honor’s Pledge is appropriate for young adults ages 13 and up. This and all her books including the most recent, Secrets, are available through Bethany House Publishers at www.bethanyhouse.com and amazon.com. For more information on the author go to www.kristenheitzmann.com.