A Heart That’s True by Mark Guillerman

A Heart That’s True: A Native American Historical Novel by Mark Guillerman

A heartfelt and deeply moving story of courage, identity, and hope. This is historical fiction at its most compassionate. A powerful, engrossing and memorable read.” Artisan Book Reviews

When all is taken, what remains?

In 1912, twelve-year-old Joseph Cross and his cousin Elizabeth White Cloud are torn from the foothills of Montana and sent across the country to the Carlisle Indian School, where children are stripped of their language, their traditions, and even their names.

Separated from home and forced into a world that sees them as something to be remade, Joseph and White Cloud must learn to survive in ways they never imagined. They face loneliness, danger, and a system determined to erase who they are. Yet through friendship, courage, and the teachings of their people, they begin to discover a strength no one can take from them.

Where courage walks, the spirit follows.

Along the way, their journey becomes intertwined with the legend of Big Black, a powerful wolf whose story mirrors their own struggle to belong in a world that fears what it does not understand.

A Heart That’s True is a moving and unforgettable story of resilience, identity, and the unbreakable bond between family, culture, and spirit. Inspired by real historical events, this novel shines a light on a chapter of history that must never be forgotten—and celebrates the courage to remain true to who you are.

CLBC Book Reviews:

A Heart That’s True belongs to a tradition of historical fiction that has become increasingly rare in modern publishing. Rather than using history simply as a backdrop for adventure or romance, Mark Guillerman immerses the reader in a fully realized world where landscape, culture, and history become characters in their own right. Set against the backdrop of the American frontier and the boarding school era, the novel explores themes of identity, belonging, cultural survival, and the enduring connection between people and place. What makes the book particularly effective is its refusal to reduce history to simple heroes and villains. Instead, Guillerman presents a complex and deeply human portrait of a difficult period in American history, allowing readers to experience both its hardships and its moments of compassion, dignity, and hope. The result is a novel that feels authentic, emotionally honest, and profoundly respectful of the people whose stories inspired it.

What elevates A Heart That’s True beyond many historical novels is the quality of the author’s craftsmanship. Guillerman writes with the confidence of someone who has not only studied the past but spent considerable time understanding it. His extensive research is evident throughout the novel, yet it never overwhelms the narrative or slows the story’s momentum. Details of Native American life, frontier communities, Carlisle School, early twentieth-century America, and the natural world are woven seamlessly into the fabric of the story, creating an experience that feels both educational and deeply engaging. His storytelling carries the warmth and cadence of a traditional frontier tale, rich with memorable characters, moral depth, and genuine emotional investment. Most importantly, Guillerman writes with heart. Beneath the historical detail and sweeping narrative lies a sincere belief in the resilience of the human spirit, making A Heart That’s True not only an accomplished work of historical fiction, but also a moving and unforgettable reading experience. Very highly recommended by Chick Lit Book Cafe-Multi-Genre Literary Group. Book reviewed by Caroline Hayes for CLBC Literary Reviews Group.

Don’t wait! Grab a copy & enjoy this 5 star compelling & memorable story! A Heart That’s True
CLBC Book Excellence Award
A Heart That’s True: A Native American Historical Novel by Mark Guillerman is Awarded Best Historical Native American Fiction, and Coming of Age Adventure

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