A Beauty Refined Book Review

Sapphire Brides Series

Book Two

SUMMARY:  What does it take to reveal the true beauty of a hidden gem?

     Phoebe Von Bergen, the daughter of a German count, is excited to visit America for the first time while her father purchases sapphires in Helena, Montana.  Little does she know, however, that her father's intentions - both for her and the gemstones - are not what she thinks.

     Ian Harper, a lapidary working in Helena, finds the dignified young woman staying at the Broadwater Hotel more than a little intriguing.  Yet the more he gets to know her, the more he realized that her family story is based on a  lie - a lie she has no knowledge of.  And Ian believes he knows the only path that will lead her to freedom.

     Meeting Ian has changed everything for Phoebe, and she begins to consider staying in America, regardless of her father's plans.  But she may not be prepared for the unexpected danger that results when her family's deception begins to unravel.

REVIEW:  This story is different from others I've read because the main "secret" is revealed to both the reader and main characters fairly early.  I like this because it helped me be less frustrated with the characters and their actions, or the lack there of.  Now, there are other problems and difficulties that Phoebe is not aware of and the eventual discovery of these helps move the story along very well.  It also makes for interesting reading as you come to understand each character better and try to figure out how everything will end.  

     Phoebe's willingness to stand up for what she believes, even though it costs her everything she knows, is awesome!!  I love how, after a very unfortunate event, she doesn't give excuses for another person's actions, even though she loves them dearly.  Even though many lies were told, the truth is revealed in the end, for the betterment of each situation and for most people.  Ian's stance on truth telling causes some potential problems but I like how he sticks to his beliefs.  Because of this, even though it looked impossible, the events worked out for the good of most everyone involved.  

     Even though this is the second book in the series, each one looks to stand well on its own. There was no time when I thought I might be missing something by not reading the first novel.  This is a remarkable book.  Check it out and see for yourself.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group and Bethany House 

for review without compensation.

 

Tracie Peterson's loves for history and research fuels the bestselling stories she writes.  She is the author of over one hundred novels and the recipient of the 201 ACFW Lifetime Achievement Award.  Tracie and her family live in Montana.

A Matter of Heart Book Review

Lone Star Brides

Book Three

SUMMARY:  Texas born and raised Jessica Atherton is a wealthy young woman whose heart was broken when the man she intended to marry wedded another.

     But her world is upended when two new men come into her life, and both manager to stir her heart.

     Harrison Gable is a successful young lawyer with ambitions that match Jessica's dreams.  His warm, attentive manner and thoughtful gifts to make her feel special.

     Austin Todd, a former Secret Service agent, enjoys working now as a Texas Ranger cattle inspector.  But after learning of forged gold certificates and missing printing plates, he's drawn back into the world of intrigue and agrees to help solve the case.  Jessica is drawn to his kind nature and the unspoken pain she sees in his eyes.

     If Jessica follows her heart, where will it lead?

REVIEW:  I really like Jessica and her determination to find more out if there is more to life than just trinkets and gowns.  Her search for answers for what she thought was important and what was really important shows her persistence to make changes for good in her life.  I like how she reached out to Alice, mended the fences between them and they became great friends.  I loved how she learned how to cook and take care of a house instead of just having the servants wait on her and take care of her every need.  Her choice of suitors in the end shows just how far she had come in her walk with the Lord and in her search for answers.

     This is the third book in the Lone Star Brides series.  Having only read the first book, I did get confused many times, trying to keep everything and everyone straight.  That said, this is a good series that I would recommend for anyone looking for a good read.

This book was provided by Bethany House for review without compensation.

 

Tracie Peterson's love for history and research fuel the bestselling stories she writes.  She is the author of more than one hundred novels and the recipient of the 2011 ACFW Lifetime Achievement Award.  Tracie and her family live in Montana.

A Sensible Arrangement Book Review

Lone Star Brides

Book One

SUMMARY:  Marty Dandridge Olson is ready to leave behind the pain of the past.  Answering an advertisement for a "Lone Star bride," she leaves her Texas ranch and heads to Denver to marry a man she doesn't know.

     Jake Wythe is the man waiting for her.  Burned by love, he marries now simply to satisfy the board of Morgan Bank, which believes a man of his standing in society should be wed.  Together Jake and Marty agree they are done with romance and love and will make this nothing more than a marriage of convenience.

      When missing money and a collapsing economy threaten his job, Jake's yearning to return to ranching grows ever stronger, much to Marty's dismay.  But a fondness has grown between them, as well, further complicating matters.

     What will happen when their relationship shifts in unexpected ways . . . and dreams and secrets collide?

REVIEW:  The idea of leaving your home and family to marry someone you don't know in a different part of the country is interesting.  I like how Marty and Jake hit it off and there wasn't any tension between them or between her and his house staff.  I also like how Marty didn't come in and start making changes to everything, but wanted to give it some time, see what worked and didn't work then possibly make changes at a later date.  She also has a big heart and steps up to help those who have had a rough life, even standing her ground when the society ladies told her it was beneath them to help.

     Now, even though I liked how the book ended, to me it left too many questions unanswered.  What happened with the economic situation?  Did the bank patrons remove all their money once the bank reopened their doors?  What happened with Jake's job situation?  Did Marty and Jake let go some of their house staff like they were thinking or were they able to work it out and keep everyone?  Did they have to move into a smaller house? These are just a few of them.  

     That said, this was a good book. I liked how the storyline flowed and how the characters interacted.  I would like to read the others in this series when they come out.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group for review without compensation.

A prolific and bestselling novelist, Tracie Peterson rewards her readers with adventure and romance, highlighted with authentic historical detail.  A Sensible Arrangement is her one hundredth novel.  Tracie and her family live in Montana.